AGRICULTURA DEL SIGLO XXI - Proyecto Life IP-RBMP Duero

AGRICULTURE

As a central axis of the LIFE IP DUERO project the alternative crop plan seeks to adapt the socioeconomic framework to the challenges posed by 21st century agriculture. To advise the professionals of the field, the project puts at their disposal the work of experts in the choice of alternative crops to the current ones, so that all the objectives pursued by the LIFE-IP RBMP-DUERO referred to a production unit are met (hectare):

Water consumption decrease.
Products with a real and growing commercialization.
Productivity increase.
Implementation of resilient species, more resistant to climate change.
Increase in CO2 collecting.
That allows a conservative use of the soil. Decrease of the ecological trace.
Circular economy and auxiliary industry.

ACTIONS

A6 Alternative Crops Plan and Demonstration Farm

In this action it is necessary to create an alternative crops plan that aims to reduce the volume demands for irrigation, and develops as an alternative socioeconomic model to irrigation, in which the volumes saved are notable compared to other non-woody crops. This will contribute to the achievement of a greater efficiency in the use of water and a reduction of the water consumption.

This is a dual experience. On the one hand, we will create a more resilient, sustainable and productive crop plan that will contribute to improving the state of the water body, both quantitatively, by saving water, and qualitatively, by improving the quality of the water through a reduction in the use of inputs.

Expected results:

A Plan for Alternative Crops that allows for the planning and development of future actions to diversify and substitute traditional crops.
Promote public activities within the communication plan and capacity building activities.
Design of a +/- 5 hectares Demonstration Farm: for training, dissemination and communication.

Reports:

Milestones:

Begin of the Demonstration Farm Construction works
End of the pilot construction works.
End of the 1st campaign of the demonstration plot.

C3 Digital services for the transformation of the agricultural sector

There will be a modernization of irrigation, improving efficiency without influencing production, being in line with climate change adaptation strategies. One of the alternatives for saving water is to implement technological solutions that allow wáter consumption to be adjusted to the demand at any given time for each type of crop. Therefore, the aim of this action is to give support to the farmers in order to achieve more sustainable and profitable practices. This will include the measurement of the improvement potential of conventional irrigation practices in terms of profitability, production and use of water, comparing the decisions made by producers in their irrigation programmes, versus recommendations prescribed through satellite remote sensing technologies and artificial intelligence models predictive of crop and meteorology. Expected results:

Programme on New Technologies that include an informative chapter of the available technologies that can contribute to the digitalization of the agriculture sector, the training programme and success stories.
Implement a demonstration case study “Tierras de Zapardiel” in the Groundwater Association
Development of 6 training workshops aimed to teach farmers how to implement these technologies and disseminate their successful experiences.
Reduce the use of water, fertilizers and phytosanitary products by 10%.

Reports:

Milestones:

Begin the demonstrative experience. ✔
Begin of the digital training programme for farmers. ✔
End of the digital training programme for farmers
Begin of the informative seminars. ✔
End of the informative seminars.

C7 Climate change mitigation and adaptation

The impact of climate change on water resources is expected to be significant in Spain. Therefore adaptation to climate change will accordingly have to face a twofold challenge: to maintain socioeconomic activity and to ensure the good ecological status of water bodies.

Expected results:

Draft an Adaptation to climate change plan for a sub-basin
Transform at least 550 hectares from irrigated to crops with less irrigation needs
Improve Nature 2000 network in the project area by creating 200 (AP) hectares of new forested áreas which will act as a refuge for different species.
Create new forested areas to allow carbon sequestration.
Get a participation of at least 20 farmers for each year in the training program.

Informes:ç

Milestones:

Begin of the implementation of the Alternative crops plan and Agroforestry Plan. ✔
Begin of the awareness and training programme for farmers. ✔
Comenzar con el programa de difusión a los agricultores. ✔
End of trees plantation.
End of the awareness and training programme for farmers

D3 Monitoring of the digital services for the transformation of agricultura

This action has been planned to monitor the evolution of the digital platform of services for agriculture.

Expected results:

Obtain data on the readiness of farmers to implement innovative solutions
Obtain data on the benefits of the use of irrigation forecasting and prescription technology for efficient and sustainable water resource management at the user community level
Study on the potential application of the use of irrigation forecasting and prescription technology for other uses in the basin

Reports:

Milestones:

Start monitoring digital services for the transformation of agriculture. ✔
Finish with the follow-up of digital services for the transformation of agriculture.

D5 Monitoring of climate change mitigation and adaptation of the project

This IP proposal contains some activities aimed to mitigate the effects of climate change mainly based on the quantification of the greenhouse gas emissions produced by the project activities and its removal and the implementation of other activities that allow compensate the emissions that can't be avoided. The monitoring process for the first group of activities will consist in the development of a methodology for carbon audits.

Expected results:

Analysis of project actions, where the indicator of the action´s effectiveness are the emission reductions achieved compared to the investment required. This data is a key aspect of the Project actions. A protocol will be developed for each type of action proposed.
Climate change mitigation plan: a document that establishes guidelines for a mitigation plan will be developed including the different types of actions undertaken in the project.
Implement a Carbon Footprint Programme through the realization of "Carbon Audits" of all the actions of the project. Annual inventory of carbon emissions, according to the selected methodology.
Quantification of GHG emissions produced by each contractor to ascertain the level of contribution in the GHG emissions compensation programme.
Check the effectiveness of the Climate change mitigation activities through quantifying the reduction of GHG emissions obtained by the implementation of this IP.
Implement a GHG emissions compensation programme based on productive poplar plantations which will compensate the emissions that can’t be avoided.

Reports:

Milestones:

Establishment of a plan for Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) of mitigation actionsRevisión del plan de seguimiento, información y verificación de las acciones de mitigación.
Review of the plan forMonitoring, Reporting andVerification (MRV) of mitigation actions