The aim of this project is to develop and validate an agronomic and mechanical solution that meets the nitrogen requirements of organic cereals, while eliminating the need for imported nitrogen fertilisers or tillage. The solution involves growing cereals alongside a permanent living legume cover, which supplies nitrogen and protects the soil year-round. FiBL will scale up an initial prototype of this mechanical solution to create low-cost, low-tech equipment for managing competition between cereals and the permanent cover. The project includes constructing a full-scale prototype, optimising sowing architecture and conducting on-farm trials with a partner farmer. The agronomic, environmental and yield performance will be assessed over several years. The objective is to enable the large-scale adoption of a robust, accessible approach to nature-based intensification.
Project Manager
