The SustainFARM work plan is organised according to the work packages (WP) described below.
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WP1. Description of network of study sites on integrated food and non-food production system (IFNS) and formation of stakeholder platforms |
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Andrea Pisanelli National Research Council, Italy Lead of WP1 |
WP1 will coordinate and investigate a representative network of study sites on integrated food and non-food systems (IFNS) located in different agro-ecological zones of Europe in partner countries. The network of the sites includes both traditional and innovative systems in which trees, crops and livestock components are integrated in different ways and at different scales (plot-field-farm). Based on the data requirements for modelling (WP2), indicator selection (WP3) and life cycle assessment (WP4), data will be collected from study sites. At each study site, local stakeholder groups will be formed.
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| WP2. Optimization of food and non-food productivity in IFNS | |
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Bhim Bahadur Ghaley University of Copenhagen, Denmark Lead of WP2 |
Assessments of the agronomic productivity and environmental performance of IFNS systems under current and future climate scenarios will be performed in WP2. Ecosystem models will be applied in a spatially-explicit way to predict yields, GHG emissions, soil erosion, nutrient loading, water, biodiversity and other environmental impacts of production systems. The investigations from the novel integrative modelling approach will be compared in order to identify gaps and suggest ways to improve resource use efficiency. The adaptation of locally relevant innovative scenarios for IFNS will be explored by sensitivity analysis.
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WP3. Development of sustainability assessment metrics for IFNS |
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Laurence Smith Organic Research Centre, UK Lead of WP3 |
WP3 will develop a list of suitable economic, social and environmental indicators to evaluate IFNS. A farm-level sustainability assessment tool, the Public Goods (PG) tool will be used across a number of “spurs”: soil management, agri-environmental management, landscape and heritage, water management, fertiliser management and nutrients, energy and carbon, food security, agricultural systems diversity, social capital, farm business resilience, and animal health and welfare management. The assessment results will be discussed with farmers and advisors and feedback on the tool is obtained from them. The updated PG tool will be tested on the SustainFARM network pilot sites and developed into Decision Support Tool (DST) for farmers, land managers and extension advisory services.
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| WP4.Valorisation and life cycle assessment of the woody component, residual waste and co-products of IFNS | |
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Markus Hassler Philips-University Marburg, Germany Lead of WP4 |
WP4 will focus on valorising woody components, residual wastes and co-products from IFNS as a biomass source for multipurpose use. The valorisation of biomass based on residues from olive oil production and woodchips will be demonstrated at the facilities of the SME subcontractors in Italy and UK. In order to assess the economic, environmental and social impacts of the novel utilization of biomass from the IFNS, a Value Chain Analysis (VCA) will be conducted in each of the partner countries, involving the relevant stakeholders through qualitative expert interviews. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the products in IFNS will be carried out to assess material and energy flows and environmental impacts of the production process.
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| WP5. Dissemination of outputs and communication to stakeholders | |
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Robert Borek Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, Poland Lead of WP5 |
WP 5 will coordinate the communication of the project outputs from other work packages. Our aims are: to produce tailor-made dissemination tools to facilitate knowledge exchange, based on the scientific and practical agronomic knowledge generated in the project and the needs of the various stakeholder groups; to ensure the efficient delivery of disseminated information to targeted groups that can influence the adoption of IFNS in Europe. Outputs will be translated into local languages of partner countries by the project partners where resources are available. Training in the use of the DST developed in WP3 will be provided through workshops/webinars in each of the partner countries.
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| WP6. Project Co-ordination | |
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Bhim Bahadur Ghaley University of Copenhagen, Denmark Lead of WP6 |
The objective of WP6 is to ensure that the project meets all its objectives, on time and within the budget, comprising delivery of project deliverables, carrying out the organisational and scientific management of the project, facilitation of communication, coordination and data sharing among the project partners and stakeholder groups. Tasks include coordination of annual project coordination meetings with all project partners, monitoring progress of WP tasks and connecting with other on-going research projects for added synergies.
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