Restoration of soil quality using biochar and brown coal waste: A review

Soils in intensively farmed areas of the world are prone to degradation. Amendment of such soils with organic waste materials attempts to restore soil quality. Organic amendments are heterogeneous media, which are a source of soil organic matter (SOM) and maintain or restore chemical, physical, biological and ecological functionality. More specifically, an increase in SOM can influence the soil microclimate, microbial community structure, biomass turnover and mineralisation of nutrients. The search is on-going for locally sourced alternatives as many forms may be costly or geographically limiting. The present review focuses on a heterogeneous group of amendments i.e. biochar and brown coal waste (BCW). Both biochar (made from a variety of feedstocks at various temperatures) and BCW (mined extensively) are options that have worldwide applicability. These materials have very high C contents and soil stability, therefore can be used for long-term C sequestration to abate greenhouse gas emissions and as conditioners to improve soil quality. However, biochar is costly for large-scale applications and BCW may have inherently high moisture and pollutant contents. Future studies should focus on the long-term application of these amendments and determine the physicochemical properties of the soil, bioavailability of soil contaminants, diversity of soil communities and productivity of selected crops. Furthermore, the development of in situ technologies to lower production and processing costs of biochar and BCW would improve their economic feasibility for large-scale application

Organic farming - Innovative approaches to support conversion (EIP-AGRI Broschure)

This brochure highlights inspiring examples of how a successful conversion to organic farming can be achieved. It showcases platforms and projects working towards a stronger organic value chain

EIP-AGRI Focus Group: Agroforestry Introducing woody vegetation into specialised crop and livestock systems - Final Report December 2017

This report presents the findings of the EIP-AGRI Focus Group (FG) on 'Agroforestry: Integrating woody crops into specialised crop and livestock systems'. Agroforestry, here defined as the practice of integrating woody vegetation with crops and/or livestock systems, is a historical approach to farming that is being re-discovered. Agroforestry practices have the potential to be regenerative, improve and increase ecosystem services at the local and landscape level, and to improve farming productivity and profitability. These practices can be applied to create profitable systems, while capturing carbon, improving biodiversity, controlling erosion, and improving water resource management. Therefore, there is a growing interest in developing modern, viable agroforestry systems within the EU. The FG investigated challenges, opportunities, existing practices and ways forward to further develop agroforestry systems in Europe. The main question was: How to develop agroforestry as a sustainable farming system which can boost agricultural productivity and profitability?The FG consisted of 20 experts from 15 EU countries with different professional backgrounds. The participants provided case studies of practical existing agroforestry systems as a base for the investigation. These were discussed thoroughly in the first meeting, leading to 9 main areas of interest to be developed into mini-papers (MP). The areas of interest were; MP1 Organising added value of agroforestry, MP2 Education in agroforestry, MP3 Tools for optimal design and management, MP4 Databases on agroforestry, MP5 Practical tree knowledge on farm level, MP6 Financial impact of agroforestry, MP7 A territorial approach to agroforestry development: from theory to practice, MP8 Important considerations and alternative approaches to assess ecosystem services in agroforestry systems, and, MP9 Mitigation and adaptation agroforestry tools. At the second meeting the FG further developed the draft papers and discussed ways to move agroforestry forward within the EU. This work constitutes the basis for the final report.Five examples of agroforestry systems are presented in this report; the sheep orchard, steep diverse production, chickens under the willows, shaping the landscape, and differentiation in the flatlands. All are examples of managing careful multidimensional design including above and below ground. The systems contain multiple species that all need to act in symbiotic ways with each other and the farm system. They are all dependent on the local context and though the basic intentions and starting points are similar, none of them look the same

Organising Alternative Food Networks (AFNs): Challenges and Facilitating Conditions of different AFN types in three EU countries

This study aimed to explore the constraining and facilitating factors impacting the emergence and consolidation of different types of alternative food networks (AFNs) in different countries. Drawing on the expertise of organizers of seventeen AFNs, we investigated the conditions and actors that hinder and promote the development of different types of AFNs in Poland, Portugal and the Netherlands. Using a multi-actor perspective framework, we categorized six types of AFNs according to their logic and characteristics: consumer-led, producer-led, third-sector led, community supported agriculture, public-led, and business platforms. Key challenges and facilitating conditions varied according to AFN type, and depended on AFN particularities. In contrast to the Netherlands, low social capital was commonly cited as a challenge in Portugal and Poland. AFN organizers appeared to exercise innovative power when creating new forms of food provision; however, a wide scope of actions by governmental and non-governmental actors are needed to support the emergence of more AFNs