Total budget: 400,000
| Main funding source | Rural development 2014-2020 for Operational Groups (in the sense of Art 56 of Reg.1305/2013) |
| Project type | Operational group |
| Starting date | 2018 |
| End date | 2023 |
This project aims to educate farmers on how to implement the principles; practices of biological farming by developing conventional to biological farming transition programme systems.
To achieve this, the project will pursue the following objectives: (i) Identify weaknesses in existing soil, crop; pasture management systems; (ii) Develop guidelines for successful transitions to biological farming based on a sound understanding of soil structure, chemistry, biology and plant nutrition; (iii) Develop; maintain high levels of soil biological function to facilitate nutrient dense food, feed; forages production; an increase in soil organic matter; carbon sequestration potential.
This project aims to educate farmers on how to implement the principles; practices of biological farming by developing conventional to biological farming transition programme systems.
To achieve this, the project will pursue the following objectives: (i) Identify weaknesses in existing soil, crop; pasture management systems; (ii) Develop guidelines for successful transitions to biological farming based on a sound understanding of soil structure, chemistry, biology and plant nutrition; (iii) Develop; maintain high levels of soil biological function to facilitate nutrient dense food, feed; forages production; an increase in soil organic matter; carbon sequestration potential.
Biological farming is a holistic approach to soil, crop and pasture management that accounts for the agronomic, environmental, nutritional, physical, chemical and biological components of what constitutes a healthy soil. It combines the best practices of conventional and organic farming with an emphasis on developing productive soils that display high levels of biological activity. The principles of biological farming are increasingly being adopted in many countries worldwide as evidence grows that its practices can lead to the production of nutrient-dense food, feed and forages in addition to minimising plant diseases with minimal or no herbicide and pesticide usage. The unsustainable nature of conventional high output tillage and pasture production systems currently in operation in Ireland has led to a greater interest in, and openness to more sustainable farming practices, such as biological farming.
The expected results and practical recommendations from the project are as follows:
Farmers learn and implement the basic principles of biological farming.
Develop transition programmes that can be adopted by any interested farmer.
Assessment of the financial cost and benefits of transition to biological farming programmes.
Contact person: David Wallace
Address: Derrycouch, Stillbrook, Mountrath, Co Laois
Phone: 00353 83 1208858