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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.
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After giving a part of these fruits and vegetables to a local charity association, wholesalers still have a huge amount of waste which will end up in the trash.
Then, the current situation is to send this waste to be composted.
At the regional level, there is a real interest in the bioeconomy business development and the region has great opportunities with cooperatives and producers in the plant sector, who could be both producers of this waste and users of biofertilizers.
The Chamber of Agriculture of Pays de la Loire is the French partner of RUSTICA project and will work on a pilot site to produce and experiment innovative bio-based fertilisers promoted in RUSTICA project.
With the idea of studying the technical and economic feasibility of bio-based fertilisers’ production, the European project RUSTICA opens new markets and new perspectives of valorisation of fruits and vegetables wastes for farmers. The main objective of the project is to transform this waste into highly added value products. This could be helpful for farmers to diversify their activities and enhance their waste for selling to other farmers, companies or cooperatives. Farmers could be integrated in a circular economy with benefits for all.
Likewise, bio-based fertilisers from technologies tested in RUSTICA aim to be efficient and to become an alternative. It could be a great opportunity for organic farmers of the region who generally use compost and manures. It could be also very attractive for conventional farmers reducing minerals fertilisers, which can damage water and soil quality through years.
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RUSTICA project, a successful beginning
Tessa Avermaete and Margo Heremans are responsible for the project management of RUSTICA project. Tessa holds a PhD in Applied Biological Sciences and is an expert in managing European consortia at the division of bioeconomics. Margo is an experienced project manager and communication professional, holding a master’s in applied economic sciences.
RUSTICA, un proyecto que le apuesta al uso de fertilizantes de base biológica para una agricultura circular
Esta iniciativa ofrecerá soluciones tecnológicas para convertir los residuos agroalimentarios en novedosos fertilizantes orgánicos de alta calidad, que respondan a las necesidades de la agricultura moderna.
It’s Earth Day, time to introduce this new exciting project!
This day is about empowering and expanding the environmental movement. As the health and wellbeing of every human being are closely interlinked with the health of our planet, fighting climate change requires persistent action on many levels. We, at RUSTICA Project, are doing our part to contribute to the fight against climate change and the health of our environment. So should you! Let’s work together to give the future generation a clean and healthy future.