About
Integrated food and non-food production systems (IFNS) are systems in which trees, crops and livestock components are integrated in different ways at different scales (plot-field-farm). SustainFARM seeks to enhance agronomic, environmental and economic performance of IFNS by optimising productivity and valorising woody components, residual wastes and co-products. To achieve this, SustainFARM will investigate the economic and environmental performance of the range of locally relevant IFNS across several agri-climatic zones of Europe and design innovative IFNS systems, which are resilient and climate-smart.
The specific objectives are to:
- Assess resource use efficiency and design innovative and cost-effective IFNS for optimum productivity.
- Develop sustainability metrics to assess agronomic productivity and environmental performance.
- Valorise the woody components, residual waste and co-products into high value bio-energy carriers and bio-products.
Results
- Descriptions of a network of integrated food and non-food systems (IFNS) and identification of stakeholders in six partner countries.
- On-farm assessments of productivity measures in locally relevant innovative IFNS.
- Innovative valorisation pathways for value addition of woody components/residual waste/co-products Development of Public Goods tool (DST) for agronomic, environmental and social performance of IFNS for informed decision making (farmers and advisory services).
- Design and identify innovative agro-ecosystems that contribute to the multiple objectives of sustainable food, fodder, fibre and energy production.
- Prepared country-specific Knowledge sharing, Communication and Impact Maximization (KCIM) plan to reach the identified stakeholders within and beyond Europe.
- Life cycle assessment of the woody component, residual waste and co-products of IFNS.