1. SoilCare introduction
Rudi Hessel, Erik van den Elsen, Simone Verzandvoort, Falentijn Assinck
Wageningen Environmental Research (Alterra)
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2. Why SoilCare Aims Set-up First results Impact
Could skip this if you prefer

3. Why SoilCare?
European crop production is facing more and more difficulties in remaining competitive in the global market. Concerns:
Competitiveness of EU farmers
Profitability of crop production
Massive use of expensive external inputs
Environmental sustainability of agricultural systems
Decreasing soil quality
These are concerns mentioned in, or based on, the call text

4. Aims
To identify “soil-improving cropping systems” (SICS) which have positive impacts on profitability and sustainability in Europe
To assess the potential of SICS in 16 sites in Europe
To facilitate the adoption & implementation of SICS in practice (incl. an analysis of policies affecting adoption)
To develop an interactive tool for the selection of SICS throughout Europe
Note: The term cropping system (CS) refers to crop type, crop rotation, and the agronomic management techniques used on a particular field over a period of years

5. Set-up
The aim (target) is to improve profitability and sustainability of agriculture in Europe. To do that, crop yield, soil quality and the environmental impacts are important, and should be maintained or improved as well. These are influenced by choices made at several management levels, which we have termed Farm Management Level (FML 1-3). At FML 3 (agronomic techniques (top of chart), decisions are taken on management of soil, water, nutrients and pest (bottom of chart). At FML 2, decisions on crop, rotation and at FML1 decisions on farm type. These choice are, finally, influenced by developments, drivers and factors (mostly) outside of the control of farmers, such as policies, market, society etc.
Text below (from another slide earlier version) gives explanation of the arrow on the right.
Very broad subject, so focus needed
‘The focus of the SS is more on FML3, since soil, water, nutrient and pest management can be adapted in the course of the year, and as these choices generally have more immediate effects than choices made at FML1 and FML2’
‘LTE are mainly used to investigate the effects of decisions taken at FML1 and FML2, as such strategic choices are made infrequently in farming systems, and as effects of such changes may only become apparent in the long term’
‘literature and other published data (including on policies) are mainly used to assess external drivers and factors’

6. Set-up
16 Study Sites in Europe, covering different pedo-climatic, socio-economic and politicy conditions.
Building on earlier work (e.g. SmartSOIL, RECARE) and collaborating with ongoing projects (e.g. LANDMARK, iSQAPER)
Three scales are covered by the SOILCARE approach: farm scale, Study Site scale, and European scale.
Different conditions require use of different CS. Applicability, profitability and environmental impacts of the SICS will therefore vary across Europe

7. First results Completed and ongoing:
Stakeholder analysis in all 16 SS (completed)
Dissemination and communication strategy (completed)
Participatory selection of SICS for implementation (ongoing)
Development of evaluation methodology (ongoing)
Development of monitoring plan (ongoing)
Literature review of SICS (draft, see next slide)
Just a brief overview of what has been done so far

8. First results Literature review (draft):
Dual focus: SICS against soil threats; SICS to improve soil quality. Draft chapters for all soil threats
Draft Executive Summary
3 basic types of SICS:
Changes in input-output ratio’s (ideal: less input, more output)
Substitution (e.g. use machines or pesticides against weeds)
Redesign (changes in crop type, rotation, farming system)
Elaboration of concept SICS
Closer look at the literature review on SICS, still a draft version

9. Innovation and Impact
Methodology to assess SICS, looking at soil quality, crop yield, environmental impacts, and effects on profitability and sustainability
Harmonized method to upscale Study Site results to EU level
Novel approach to investigate how CS affect soil biological health, and how this affects crop yield and crop quality
Development of an interactive tool for selection of soil-improving CS throughout Europe
Insight in bio-physical, economic, social and political barriers for adoption, including ways to overcome such barriers

10. Impact – FML3
The agronomic techniques used to manage soil, water, nutrients and pests have impacts on soil quality, environment and farm economy. Soil quality also has impact on farm economy, and so can environmental impacts

11. Impact Specific impacts mentioned:
Improved soil and water quality, more resilient to degradation
Improved environmental quality, e.g. less GHGs
Scientific support to EU and national policies (agricultural, environmental & nature, Europe 2020 Strategy, Climate)
Evaluation methodology for SICS, scientifically sound and relevant to society (as views and priorities of stakeholders, SMEs and Industry are taken into account)
Increased profitability, e.g. through reduced need for external inputs, less impact of land degradation
This slide gives a few concrete impacts as we have mentioned them in our Description of Action

12. Summary
Focus on soil-improving cropping systems (SICS) that are profitable and sustainable
Trans-disciplinary approach looking at bio-physical conditions, policies and socio-economic issues
Multiple study sites covering range of conditions in Europe
Basic question: which SICS can be applied where in Europe to best effect?

13. Thank You! www.soilcare-project.eu @SoilCare_eu SoilCare project
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