H2020 Diverfarming Project: Crop diversification and low-input farming across Europe: from practitioner engagement and ecosystem services to increased income and supply chain organization
- Type Project
- Status Filled
- Execution 2017 -2022
- Assigned Budget 9.999.277,5 €
- Scope Europeo
- Main source of financing H2020
- Project website Diverfarming
The interrelationship between actors in the agricultural value chain is complex, and the entire agricultural system must adapt and optimize in response to the environmental, technical, and socioeconomic constraints arising from existing, unsustainable and resource-inefficient production models. Recent agricultural intensification has led to soil degradation, reduced biodiversity, and increased economic risk for farmers. Therefore, there is now a growing emphasis on crop diversification and optimized resource use. Diverfarming aims to increase diversification and biodiversity in Europe and foster the sustainable development of the bioeconomy. Diverfarming will increase the resilience, sustainability, and long-term economic returns of agriculture across the EU by assessing the real benefits and minimizing the constraints, barriers, and drawbacks of diversified cropping systems using low-input practices adapted to the unique characteristics of six EU pedoclimatic regions, and by adapting and optimizing the organization of downstream value chains through field case studies. This approach will provide: i) higher overall land productivity; ii) more rational use of farmland and agricultural inputs (water, energy, machinery, fertilizers, pesticides); ii) better provision of ecosystem services through increased biodiversity and soil quality; iii) appropriate organization of downstream value chains adapted to new diversified cropping systems with lower energy use; and iv) access to new markets and reduced economic risks through the adoption of new products over time and space.
Data mining and decision-making were developed, with the baseline for the experimental design established in RP1. Twenty-four case studies began their activities to assess the effects of diversified cropping systems on (i) crop yield, crop quality, and nutritional status; (ii) biodiversity; (iii) soil quality; (iv) erosion; (v) carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions; and (vi) gross margins (RP1-RP2). All case studies monitored pests/diseases, identifying the proportion of damage (RP1-RP3).
The soil in the field case studies was sampled three times for physical, chemical, and biodiversity analyses, along with vegetation richness, cover, and erosion (RP2-RP3). Results indicate that crop diversification must be tailored to the specific pedoclimatic, cultural, and technical characteristics of the area and, if appropriately adapted, has positive agronomic and environmental benefits (RP4). Machinery innovation needs in Europe were identified (RP3). The prototype for machinery innovation has been launched (RP4). A value chain analysis and mapping (PR2) and an assessment of the conditions for the adoption and diffusion of farming systems with sustainable practices were conducted (PR3-PR4).
The guidelines should consider the relevance of financial motives and the impact of subsidies on farmers (PR4). The model for simulating C and N dynamics was fully calibrated and is capable of accurate simulations in all pedoclimatic zones (PR3). The modeled and measured data were upscaled from the farm level to the landscape scale and integrated into the SusDiver DST (PR4). A set of indicators was selected to assess the sustainability of diversified cropping systems at the field and farm scales (PR2) and integrated into the SusDiver DST (PR4).
The DST is available for free download from the Google and Apple app stores and integrates the results of agronomic, environmental, and economic indicators, along with scaling and modeling results, and the main value chains in each case study (PR4). A non-market valuation was conducted in three different countries (PR2). An evaluation of gross margin calculations was conducted (PR3), along with economic analysis along the value chain and integration, and an integrated comparative economic and case study analysis (PR4).
This evaluation demonstrated that crop diversification does not generate significant changes in farm-level economic outcomes, and if it does, they are expected to be positive (PR4). Current agricultural policies were investigated to understand how diversification is addressed (PR2) and what tools policymakers have designed to encourage the adoption of certain practices (PR3). A White Paper was published integrating the results of all project work packages, identifying current barriers and making policy recommendations (PR4).
We have continued our communication and dissemination plan by continuously updating Diverfarming's website and social media profiles with the release of promotional materials (RP1-RP4).
The interrelationships between actors in the agricultural value chain are complex, and the entire agricultural system must adapt and optimize in response to the environmental, technical, and socioeconomic constraints arising from existing, unsustainable and resource-inefficient production models. Recent agricultural intensification has led to soil degradation, reduced biodiversity, and increased economic risk for farmers. Therefore, there is now a growing emphasis on crop diversification and optimized resource use.
Diverfarming aims to increase diversification and biodiversity in Europe and foster the sustainable development of the bioeconomy. Diverfarming will increase the resilience, sustainability, and long-term economic returns of agriculture across the EU by assessing the real benefits and minimizing the constraints, barriers, and drawbacks of diversified farming systems using low-input practices adapted to the unique characteristics of six EU pedoclimatic regions, and by adapting and optimizing the organization of downstream value chains through field case studies.
This approach will provide: (i) greater overall land productivity; (ii) more rational use of agricultural land and agricultural inputs (water, energy, machinery, fertilizers, pesticides); (ii) improved provision of ecosystem services through increased biodiversity and soil quality; (iii) appropriate organization of downstream value chains adapted to new, diversified, and energy-efficient cropping systems; and (iv) access to new markets and reduced economic risks through the adoption of new products over time and space.
With a long-term vision of increasing diversification and biodiversity in Europe and fostering the sustainable development of the bioeconomy, the Diverfarming consortium is working to develop and implement innovative agriculture and agribusiness strategies. Diverfarming will increase the long-term resilience, sustainability, and economic returns of agriculture across the EU by assessing the real benefits and minimizing the limitations, barriers, and drawbacks of diversified farming systems with low-input agronomic practices tailored to the unique characteristics of six EU pedoclimatic regions (Southern and Northern Mediterranean, Central Atlantic, Continental, Pannonian, and Boreal), and by adapting and optimizing the organization of downstream value chains.
This approach will provide: (i) greater overall land productivity; (ii) more rational use of agricultural land and agricultural inputs (water, energy, machinery, fertilizers, pesticides); (ii) improved provision of ecosystem services through increases in biodiversity and soil quality; (iii) appropriate organization of downstream value chains adapted to new, diversified, and energy-efficient farming systems; and (iv) access to new markets and reduced economic risks through the adoption of new products over time and space.
Diversified cropping systems will be tested in field studies for the main crops in each pedoclimatic region.
Ultimately, Diverfarming focuses on research and innovation for rural development, with an emphasis on developing new framework systems and business models tailored to the rural context of each EU pedoclimatic zone, to foster sustainable growth through the adoption of diversification, sustainable practices, and efficient use of resources.
Previous efforts have focused on the effects of agricultural systems and practices on crop yield, quality, and the provision of ecosystem services, with little attention paid to the economic, social, and cultural effects of these systems/practices. Few studies show data on the positive effects of crop diversification on agricultural productivity and ecosystem services, and even fewer on the reduction of economic and environmental costs. Furthermore, previous projects have not provided robust scientific data on value chain adaptation pathways to crop diversification.
Within Diverfarming, the most appropriate crop associations have been evaluated in technical, economic, social, cultural, and environmental terms, and agreed upon by all stakeholders. Diverfarming views the European agricultural sector as a whole, but approaches it from different perspectives depending on the specific needs, strengths, barriers, and opportunities of each agroecosystem. The application of a bottom-up decision-making process through a multi-criteria model and a multi-stakeholder approach is innovative in agricultural management.
The Diverfarming outputs are: Decision Support Tool "SusDiver" (RP4), Guidelines for Sustainable Diversified Cropping Systems (RP4), Protocol for the Successful Implementation of Diversified Systems (RP4), Methodological Guidelines and Toolbox for Value Chain Adaptation (RP4), Prototype of Qualified Machinery for Intercropping (RP4), Communities of Practitioners as Pioneer Volunteer Farmers and Agribusinesses recruited to develop diversified cropping systems in their farming systems as real-life scenarios and ensure longevity beyond the project (RP2); White Paper to scientifically support relevant policies (RP4).
The potential impacts of the project are: a) increased productivity of arable land and land equivalent ratio, b) diversification and increased farmers' incomes through access to new markets and reduced economic risk, c) reduced environmental impact of diversified farming systems, d) improved provision of ecosystem services, e) organization of resource-efficient value chains and reduced energy use, f) supply to the market of food, feed and industrial products from diversified farming systems, g) increased awareness and knowledge exchanges among actors, h) support for relevant EU policies, i) territorial cohesion benefits arising from improved agricultural productivity and more resilient farms, j) strengthened competitiveness of several companies and organizations active in the value chain and bioeconomy, creating growth opportunities and new jobs. These impacts have been validated in RP4, with the identification of potential barriers, drawbacks and trade-offs.
- UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA DE CARTAGENA (UPCT)
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