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RUSTICA in the context of natural renewable resources
Currently, the international and European economy is mainly based on resources of fossil origin. These resources are subject to debate not only because of their finiteness but also with regard to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
IDConsortium
The question of resources also comes into play if fertilisers are addressed. Mining and chemical synthesis based on crude oil and natural gas are still important pathways for gaining compounds suitable for plant nutrition.
In this respect, the questions raise: how could be responded to these challenges and how could the alternatives look like?
By exploring the appropriateness of waste and side streams from the agri-food chain and converting them into plant nutrients to be used as tailor-made and high-level solutions for various agricultural and horticultural purposes, the RUSTICA project addresses such challenges.
To validate the results of its research, the specific approach of RUSTICA comprises five regions of which four are located in Europe and one in Colombia. Hence, the project provides unique options to demonstrate how natural renewable resources by means of locally available waste and left-over materials from agriculture can serve as valuable input materials for various plant nutrition concepts.
In the course of individually adapting these plant nutrition concepts to regional requirements, the RUSTICA project paves the way for highly innovative and bio-based fertilisers and, at the same time, fosters the idea of circularity for the natural renewable resources deployed to this end.
Starting from redundant organic matter, the project creates new value chains, votes for cost-effective and affordable fertiliser products, as well as ecologically sound solutions through returning natural resources to the earth. – thus, enabling nutrition and growth of new plants by closing the loop for renewables.
More news about this project:
The RUSTICA project continues its outreach in Valle del Cauca, Colombia, one of the 5 focal regions of this international project
Using a multisectoral approach, this initiative is moving forward in the formation of its multi-stakeholder platform, conceived as a collaborative space for co-creation and knowledge exchange in the regional Valle del Cauca context.
Socio-economic aspects of agriculture and the food sector and how they will be able to help the project advance in its research
In the coming years, humanity will have to face one of the most demanding challenges in history which are to slow down and possibly reverse the process of ecosystem deterioration caused by anthropogenic activities.
The RUSTICA European Project, what interests for farmers?
In Pays de la Loire region, RUSTICA project will take place in one of the 17 National Gross Market infrastructures (Marché d’Intérêt National or “MIN”), in the city of Angers. Here, tons of waste are generated each year by unsold fruits and vegetables.
