Agrestic aims at fostering the adoption by farmers of innovative and efficient cropping systems able to mitigate the climate-change and to spread innovative views and tools for climate and environmental protection including an efficient use of resources in agriculture.
This is the goal of “LIFE AGRESTIC – Reduction of Agricultural Greenhouse gases Emissions Through Innovative Cropping systems”. This is a 4,5-year project coordinated by Horta and whose kick-off meeting was held at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore of Piacenza on 16 January 2019.
All partners involved took part at the meeting: Ervet spa – Emilia-Romagna Territorial Economic Enhancement; Isea srl; New Business Media srl (Edagricole); Scuola Superiore di Studi Universitari e di Perfezionamento Sant’Anna (Sant’Anna Advanced School of University Studies); Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Piacenza.
Legumes and catch crop varieties with high performances to obtain efficient rotations
Agrestic will focus on the introduction of legumes and catch crops in 4-year rotations with the aim to reduce Agricultural GReenhouse gases EmiSsions Through Innovative Cropping systems and increasing carbon sequestration and organic N supply.
A new DSS will be developed N-and C- efficient cropping systems reducing the use of nitrogen fertilizers, PPPs and not-renewable sources (soil and fuels) while keeping quality and safety standards. Furthermore existing DSS for the single crops will be implemented with new features and a specific one to manage catch crops will be developed.
A prototype for the automatic and continuous monitoring of greenhouse gas flows from the soil, a product label and schemes for the payment of Eco-systemic Services will be developed.
The innovations introduced will be tested in 3 demonstration sites in Emilia Romagna, Tuscany and Puglia. Key stakeholders will be involved with a participatory and promotional approach both during and after the end of the project.
