Navarra 360º, a pioneering project that will help farmers implement 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.

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.