ECONUTRI is an Innovation Action project based on a multi-actor approach which includes scientific experts in public institutions, private companies, farmers’ associations, and reaches out to various stakeholders (with expressed interest).
The aim of ECONUTRI is to optimize and validate at commercial level nutrient management technologies that minimize or even eliminate nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) pollution by limiting N emissions to soil, water and air and P emissions to water resources. Such a challenge follows the EU’s Green Deal having as a target to contribute to reduction of nutrient losses by 50% that can lead to a reduction of at least 20% in fertilizer use up to 2030 to the benefit of the farmers and the environment. ECONUTRI is partnering with six Chinese institutions to complement activities between EU and China and strengthen the scientific and technological ties.
The Challenges
Excessive production of organic biomass waste originating from both animal and plant production, as well as inappropriate fertilisation and farming practices, result in serious environmental impacts. These include overloading of
soils with nutrients, which may result in pollution of groundwater with nitrates and phosphates and eutrophication in surface water, air pollution due to emission of greenhouse gasses (GHG: CO2, N2O, CH4) and ammonia (NH3), rainfall acidification, and unwanted N-deposition in natural environments, harming thereby the whole ecosystem. To mitigate pollution in soils, water and air caused by inappropriate land application of biowaste by and the current fertilisation and irrigation practices, there is an urgent need to apply new agricultural production approaches and innovative technologies for crop management targeting the reduction of inputs as well as circularity of resources. These actions are urgently needed to protect groundwater as a major source of drinking water and prevent pollution of surface waters including seas and oceans while restricting GHG emissions from agriculture and N losses through NH3 volatilization.
