Improving C-Balances in Organic Farms

Agriculture is a driver of climate change, but it is also one of the sectors most affected by it: changes in temperature and precipitation as well as weather extremes are influencing crop yields and livestock productivity. In addition to shortened growing periods and water shortages, these are just some of the negative effects prevalent in the target countries. At the same time, farms can contribute significantly to reduced greenhouse gas emissions: improved land management and the improvement of soils enable CO2 sequestration in humus and thus a reduction of greenhouse gas levels.

Improving C-Balances on Organic Farms; Photo: © Naturland e.V.

The project team aimed to increase knowledge and to enable the practical experience that was required to direct cultivation methods towards increased CO2 sequestration. It targeted farmers, agricultural advisors, and a variety of actors involved at different stages of the agricultural value chain such as traders, logistic providers and retail managers. The project team set up six demonstration trials and evaluated the data collected throughout them. Their aim was to showcase best practice on the buildup of humus through legumes, agroforestry, lucerne and clover. Furthermore, the team offered trainings to increase knowledge on the methods and techniques for improved carbon sequestration, especially on livestock-free farms, for target group members. Additionally, two videos, integrated in Naturland’s training platform, and several articles in agricultural magazines spread knowledge on CO2 sequestration beyond the target group.

• The project was very successful in expanding knowledge and creating networks on carbon sequestration on arable land among farmers, advisors, and stakeholders. During a study tour, participants from Serbia, Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, and Germany visited, among others, visited two organic farms in Austria and Hungary where best-practice examples for the build-up of carbon content in the soil were shown: On-farm composting, production of alfalfa with on-farm drying.
• With more than 1600 participants, twice as many people attended the project's events as originally planned. The knowledge about building carbon content in soils could be transferred via developed training materials to farmers, advisors, researchers, students and policy makers in Slovenia, Serbia and beyond, as the online events reached many more countries such as Georgia or the United Kingdom.  
• More demonstration trials (9), which were the key activities for the field days, could be set up than initially planned (6). The project's field days and networking activities in Slovenia and Serbia were very well attended with more than 500 farmers. During the field trials, they were able to learn about new methods for building up the carbon content on their farms.