Navarra 360º, a pioneering project that will help farmers implement regenerative practices
- The project aims for farms to improve the quality of the soil on their farms, biodiversity, carbon footprint, water use and social and economic indicators.
- 3 million will be invested over three years, more than 60 different parameters will be studied, and it is hoped that the model can be replicated elsewhere in Europe.
Navarra 360º is a landscape project of the Regenerative Innovation Portfolio. The objective is to support 200 farmers, which 80 of them will be the beneficiaries of the funding provided by Danone, in Navarra (northern Spain) to implement regenerative agriculture in their crop rotation. It is a 360º approach, looking at key factors such as soil quality, biodiversity, water use, carbon footprint, as well as social and economic indicators. The profitability of the farms is fundamental, which is why the emphasis is on financial support as well as training in technical aspects.
The Regenerative Innovation Portfolio is a collaboration platform bringing together a wide array of actors within Europe to action the critical systemic shifts we need to fix our broken food system. The Portfolio is established by EIT Food in collaboration with Food Innovation Hub Europe Initiative, and Foodvalley NL.
The presentation, was attended by José María Aierdi, Regional Minister for Rural Development and the Environment of the Government of Navarre, who described the project as ‘pioneering in Europe’ and emphasised ‘its contribution to making green agriculture profitable’. The Minister pointed out ‘the interest from industry and cooperatives, as well as the direct involvement of the producers themselves’, as well as valuing the knowledge accumulated in the region ‘thanks to the INTIA trials’.
EIT Food acts as general coordinator, the result of its experience in this field. We have already trained more than 2,000 farmers since 2020 in nine European countries, with more than 30 workshops a year for professionals in the sector, which have enabled it to measure the effectiveness of regenerative practices.
Begoña Pérez Villarreal, the Director for EIT Food South, explained how this project came about more than a year ago, where it was essential ‘to convince the most pioneering companies in this field to work together, because together we can make more progress than individually’. He stressed that ‘we know of no other similar initiative in Europe’, with public-private collaboration, and he thanked Danone, Cargill and Intermalta, as well as the Government of Navarre, for their involvement.
In addition, other actors serving general interest, such as the NGO Danone Ecosystem, Cargill and Intermalta, which provide financial support and liaise with the entire value chain. On the other hand, there are service providers such as the Navarra Institute of Food Technologies and Infrastructures (INTIA), Agropec, Lursare Ekosistemas, which contribute with training, advice and will measure the impact of the project. In addition, the Government of Navarra and Caja Rural de Navarra are included, with specific and expert support. And finally, the agricultural sector itself is involved: Harivenasa, independent farmers, AN Group and others.
Outcomes expected
This three-year project will involve an investment of 3 million euros and will allow the study of 60 different parameters. The expected results include a 20% reduction in the use of phytosanitary products and a 40% reduction in mineral fertilisation. There will also be a crop rotation of wheat, barley, oats and rapeseed. During the project, the costs to farmers will be analysed and new financing mechanisms will be explored. ‘Farmers are the basis of the project: their involvement is the key to everything,’ said Melissa Comellas, Regional Programme Manager of the Regenerative Agriculture Programme, and also of Navarra 360º. ‘Each activity is designed with them in mind, to help them in their transition and is aligned with the values we want to transmit’. Once it is finished, in 2026, it is hoped to replicate the model in other parts of Europe.
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