A CONSULT leads the project communication Horizon Europe NUTRI-CHECK NET, which turned 18 months old on 5th June. At the review meeting, ways of working on crop management practices throughout the European Union, one of the research and innovation projects in which the company participates.
O NUTRI-CHECK NET promotes the adoption, at farm level, of best crop management practices across Europe, tailored to optimise nutrient use in staple crops such as potatoes, maize and wheat.
What gets measured gets managed
A central component is the analysis of the management of production factors, such as fertilisers and water, to ensure that crops receive the nutrients necessary for their growth. The strategy includes detailed monitoring and analysis to fine-tune the application of these factors, reducing waste and environmental impact.
At the meeting, the results of a survey of European farmers on how farms currently measure success were presented. Crop yield and visual appearance are the factors most commonly used in this evaluation.
Plant nutrition clubs in nine countries
Plant nutrition clubs involving farmers have been set up in the nine partner countries of the consortium, which are evaluating and testing decision-support tools and innovations. A CONSULT coordinates these works in Portugal and leads communication and the dissemination of results.
A platform NUTRI-CHECK NET it is online, with an inventory of recommendation systems, available tools and services, as well as research projects that help farmers decide between different nutrient management systems.
National expert groups
National expert groups work on identifying farmers' needs and mobilise stakeholders in each partner country. At the end of the project, these groups participate in the co-creation of best nutrient management practices.
With this approach, the NUTRI-CHECK NET establishes a thematic network that improves the precision of crop nutrition in Europe by compiling decision-making tools, verifying nutrients on a farm-by-farm basis, and transferring knowledge among stakeholders.
By improving nutrient use efficiency and reducing environmental losses, the network is expected to bring long-term benefits to farmers and the ecosystem. The widespread adoption of measure-to-manage approaches increases nutrient recycling and productivity and reduces the use of synthetic fertilisers and nutrient losses across Europe.
Check out the platform at platform.nutri-checknet.eu and find out more at nutri-checknet.eu.