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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.
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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:
Stakeholders workshop in Pays de la Loire on 21st of October of 2021
On 21st of October of 2021 took place the first regional stakeholders workshop in Pays de la Loire. The workshop was hosted by ESA d’Angers, an agronomic engineer school based in Angers.
Social challenges affecting bio-based fertilisers implementation
Climate change and resources depletion are urging agriculture players to boost a real change, from the grounds, fostering the use of bio-based solutions for crop nutrient management and pest control among others.
Stakeholders workshop in Valle del Cauca region (Colombia)
On 5th of November took placed an stakeholders workshop in the frame of RUSTICA project in Valle del Cauca region. In the following lines you will see how the workshop was organized.