Improving C-Balances on Organic Farms II
Enhancing carbon sequestration in organic farming across Slovenia, Serbia, and Poland by improving knowledge, establishing networks, and promoting sustainable practices through demonstration trials, training, and policy support.
Project info
Poland, Serbia, Slovenia
02/25 - 04/27
Educational Institutions, Local Governments, Regional Governments, Associations, Civil Society
530,947.72 €
Contact info
Vogt-Kaute Werner
- Naturland e.V.
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia (KIS)
- Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia
- The National Institute of Horticultural Research
Background
Agricultural soils in Slovenia, Serbia, and Poland have been experiencing a continuous decline in organic matter over the past 30 years, reducing soil fertility and contributing to climate change. Organic farming and sustainable agricultural practices offer significant potential for carbon sequestration, yet their adoption remains limited due to a lack of technical knowledge and collaboration among farmers, advisors, and policymakers.
The European Union’s Green Deal and the Farm to Fork strategy aim to make food systems more sustainable, while the EU Soil Mission emphasizes restoring degraded soils. Slovenia’s National Energy and Climate Plan (NEPN) commits to a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, while Poland’s eco-schemes promote carbon farming. Serbia, as part of the Energy Community Treaty, must align its agricultural policies with EU climate goals. The project contributes to these frameworks by fostering knowledge transfer, practical implementation, and policy development.
Project
The project strengthens carbon sequestration in organic farming by setting up demonstration trials, establishing knowledge-sharing networks, and developing training programs. It directly engages farmers, advisors, and policymakers through workshops, field visits, and capacity-building activities to enhance soil carbon management practices.
Demonstration trials will take place in various regions, testing cover crops, agroforestry systems, and organic amendments to improve soil organic carbon levels. Training materials will be developed to support farmers in implementing best practices, while policy discussions will ensure the integration of climate-friendly agricultural measures into national frameworks.
Farmers’ associations, advisory services, and policymakers will collaborate in field visits and discussion events to bridge the knowledge gap and foster adoption of sustainable practices. The project also creates a best practices toolbox, compiling strategies, guidelines, and case studies to be shared across Europe to amplify its impact.
Last update: March 2025