European Commission logo
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Innovative concepts and technologies for ECOlogically sustainable NUTRIent management in agriculture aiming to prevent, mitigate and eliminate pollution in soils, water and air

Project description

EU-China collaboration for a greener agriculture

Innovation is key for the agriculture sector. Technology can create opportunities for agricultural producers to increase productivity and better manage natural resources. Ensuring long-term viability by greening the industry is essential. In this context, the EU-funded ECONUTRI project will work with European and Chinese institutions to decrease water pollution caused by agricultural land use and processes and reduce fertiliser usage by at least 20 %. The project will also boost scientific collaboration between the EU and China. To do this, it will demonstrate 24 novel technologies aimed at reducing the environmental impact of agriculture through innovative nature-based solutions and fertilisers.

Objective

ECONUTRI is a consortium of scientific experts and researchers from different disciplines, private companies, farmers’ associations, and stakeholders. ECONUTRI is partnering with six Chinese Institutions, four from public research and two from industry, to complement activities and to strengthen the scientific collaboration between Europe and China. The project will scientifically support the EU’s Green Deal in its target to reduce fertiliser use by least 20% by 2030, thereby reducing by 50% losses of nutrients associated with negative environmental impacts. More specifically, ECONUTRI will address water pollution caused by NO3 and P leaching and run-off from cultivated soils, manure/slurry and plant residues, as well as greenhouse gas (N2O, CO2, CH4) and NH3 emissions from cultivated soils, barns, and organic biomass during storage, composting, and land application. ECONUTRI will optimise, validate, and demonstrate 24 innovative technologies that currently have a TRL of 4-6, and will increase their TRL to 7-8. These technologies are integrated parts of a holistic concept based on recycling of nutrients and organic material, novel machinery and fertilisers, novel decision support systems (DSS), and novel nutrient management plans incorporating nature-based solutions to reduce nutrient losses and to increase nutrient use efficiency. The expected results include hyperspectral analysis algorithms, advanced on-line DSS platforms to develop smart nutrient management plans for organic and conventional crops, protocols for circular cropping systems in open field and greenhouses, advanced emission monitoring feedback systems, novel manure spreaders, variable rate technologies for precision fertilisation, smart fertilisers, and biostimulants increasing N use efficiency. ECONUTRI will establish eight demonstration sites and deploy a comprehensive range of dissemination, communication, and exploitation activities to maximise the impact of the expected results and technologies.

Coordinator

GEOPONIKO PANEPISTIMION ATHINON
Net EU contribution
€ 727 395,00
Address
IERA ODOS 75
118 55 ATHINA
Greece

See on map

Region
Αττική Aττική Κεντρικός Τομέας Αθηνών
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 727 395,00

Participants (21)

Partners (8)