On 9 September, in partnership with AGROGLOBAL and the companies responsible for the trial fields at Quinta da Alorna, CONSULAI, within the scope of the European projects NUTRI-CHECK NET and ClimateFarmDemo, will host the workshop Practices for Optimised Fertilisation in Maize.

CONSULAI is involved in both projects, being responsible for communication and dissemination in NUTRI-CHECK NET, and for managing the national demonstration network of more than 30 farmers in ClimateFarmDemo (CFD).

ClimateFarmDemo (CFD) is a European network of Pilot Demo Farmers (PDFs), launched in 2022 and running until 2029. Covering 28 countries and their pedoclimatic zones, the project’s main goal is to accelerate the adoption of climate-smart practices and solutions by farmers, supporting the adaptation of agricultural production systems to climate change and contributing to carbon neutrality in the sector by 2050.

To achieve this, the project follows a multi-actor approach, creating a European network of 1,500 PDFs and their Climate Farm Advisors (CFAs). Over the course of the project, 4,500 demonstration events will be organised to foster discussion and knowledge exchange among professionals.

The Portuguese network includes more than 30 demo farmers across different production systems. Together with the farmers, agricultural advisors will develop climate adaptation and mitigation plans, identifying practices and strategies to strengthen climate resilience. The carbon footprint of each farm will also be calculated, serving as the basis for prioritising measures to be implemented.

NUTRI-CHECK NET, launched in January 2023, brings together 10 European partners with the mission of promoting more efficient and sustainable fertilisation management through collaborative testing of digital tools, in a participatory approach.

First, the main fertilisation challenges in wheat, maize, and potato crops were identified in each partner country. In Portugal, this work was carried out in collaboration with the Crop Nutrition Clubs, farmer groups focusing on these crops, supported by a National Expert Group in fertilisation. This ensured that practical needs were aligned with up-to-date scientific knowledge.

Second, based on the identified challenges, a selection of digital tools and other solutions with potential to improve fertilisation management was made—ranging from soil and leaf analyses to variable-rate application technologies and decision support software.

In a third phase, some of these tools were tested in the field by members of the Crop Nutrition Clubs in the different partner countries. This process made it possible to assess the applicability, usefulness, and user-friendliness of each tool in real-world conditions.

The fourth phase focused on the creation of a digital platform, now available online, which serves as a repository for the selected and tested tools. Designed to be accessible and practical, it enables other farmers and advisors to easily explore and adopt suitable solutions.

Finally, the project will highlight 20 best practices in fertilisation management, based on the tools and methodologies proven most effective. These best practices will also be made available on the platform, ensuring knowledge sharing beyond the direct project participants.

To maximise impact, the CFD project actively seeks collaboration with other initiatives, projects, and policymakers. Thus, in synergy with NUTRI-CHECK NET, on 9 September the network of demo farmers will come together with the network of fertilisation experts to jointly identify best practices for optimised maize fertilisation.

The workshop will take place in the Sala dos Claustros at CNEMA, in Santarém, on the first day of AGROGLOBAL. The event will feature a group activity and a field demonstration at Quinta da Alorna (with transport provided between CNEMA and the trial fields).

We look forward to your participation in jointly selecting best practices for optimised fertilisation and to joining us for a networking drink at the CONSULAI stand.

Registration here: https://forms.office.com/e/LjmTkJSXNQ.

 

Explore more in the NUTRI-CHECK NET platform and the ClimateFarmDemo website .