Crop Rotation Optimisation for Sustainable Agriculture in Romania (CROSAR)

The CROSAR project aims to deploy ASSOLIA’s crop rotation optimisation solution across Europe, focusing on regenerative agriculture and providing essential support to farmers facing regulatory and agronomic demands related to sustainable farming. Led by ASSOLIA, in partnership with INMA, AFR, and LIDEA, this 18-months project will introduce an intuitive tool to help farmers make informed rotation decisions, reduce costs, and enhance sustainability in Romania. The project targets 100 farmers to test the solution, beginning with a pilot phase involving 15 farmers and expanding to 85 during the deployment phase.

Today, farmers must adopt regenerative practices to maintain soil health and productivity. This is challenging due to the need for diverse rotations, climate adaptation, and compliance with the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The CROSAR project addresses these critical issues through its innovative tool, which supports farmers in implementing sustainable practices that meet modern standards. ASSOLIA’s tool enables long-term rotation planning by incorporating farm-specific data, such as crop history, soil characteristics, and eco-scheme requirements, generating optimised plans over three to seven years. This approach maximises gross margins (by approximately 10%), preserves soil quality by reducing synthetic inputs by 20%, and enhances biodiversity by at least 20%. These benefits are achieved without requiring significant new investments, offering vital support to farmers under economic pressure.

Expected project outcomes include optimised crop rotation strategies, increased crop diversity, and improved soil health. By providing precise, data-driven guidance, CROSAR enables farmers to meet environmental and regulatory objectives while maintaining profitability. Farmers gain access to a tool that simplifies complex decisions, allowing them to achieve high yields and efficient land use in a cost-effective way.

Key beneficiaries include farmers, who will see direct improvements in productivity, profitability, and sustainable land management. Agricultural cooperatives and advisors will also benefit, as CROSAR provides advanced planning tools that enhance services for members and clients, ultimately driving productivity while promoting sustainable practices. Agribusinesses, particularly seed and input suppliers, will benefit from a resilient and compliant sector, fostering stable, sustainable supply chains that balance productivity with environmental impact.

The solution is set to launch in Romania by late 2025 for testing and initial free deployment with beta testers, followed by commercialisation at the end of 2026, with a larger commercial rollout anticipated by 2027. Thanks to the innovation and expertise of the consortium, the CROSAR project is expected to have a significant impact, helping farmers adopt regenerative practices across the EU.

The CROSAR project is expected to deliver significant economic and social benefits, particularly within the agricultural sector. In optimising crop rotation strategies, the tool aims to increase farmers' yields and gross margins by approximately 10%, enhancing production efficiency and profitability. Additionally, it promotes environmental sustainability by improving biodiversity by 20% and reducing the purchase and use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides by up to 20%. This contributes to the financial stability of farms, alleviating economic pressures on farmers and ensuring that land use remains both productive and eco-friendly.

CROSAR's interface is also designed to save farmers substantial time by providing fast access to complex data, reducing the need for extensive hours to perform these calculations manually. It allows farmers to make informed decisions with greater ease and less stress. The tool's intuitive design encourages broad adoption across diverse farming sectors, as it requires minimal training and resources to implement. This simplicity facilitates swift integration, enabling farmers to improve productivity without unnecessary complications.

Overall, the CROSAR project will support a shift toward more resilient, profitable, and sustainable agricultural practices by reinforcing food security, economic stability, and environmental stewardship.

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