What was the challenge/problem addressed?
Standardized methodologies for measuring the carbon footprint have not been specifically adapted for application in agriculture and the agri-food industry derived from it. This situation causes significant damage to the agri-food sector, those raw materials could offer a compensation mechanism that reduces, neutralizes and even reverses the carbon footprint generated by greenhouse gas emissions throughout the production process.
Corn represents one of the main large-scale crops in the Spanish agri-food system and plays a crucial role in national irrigation. Currently, the corn sector experiences significant dependence on imports due to increasing international competition. This dependence has direct commercial consequences for local farmers, who lose bargaining power each season with the arrival of new, more competitive international players. In addition, it entails other equally relevant indirect consequences, such as less control in terms of food safety in imports, which are not subject to the rigorous requirements that European farmers meet to guarantee safety throughout the chain, from the raw material.
And, the agricultural sector as a whole is threatened by environmental instability related to climate change. Corn production, which requires considerable water, is particularly affected by increasing droughts, resulting in increasing reductions in water supplies. All this is reducing the competitiveness of national producers in an environment in which the demand for this crop is increasing and presents various opportunities, both in its conventional use in the agri-food chain and in its increasingly frequent use in integrated production processes about valorization of raw materials to obtain products such as biomaterials, bioenergy, bioethanol, biogas, food, CO2 feed, proteins, among others, within a circular economy and zero waste approach, which constitutes the basis of the strategy adopted at the level of the EU.
The current growing demand for corn could be met by domestic producers, thus increasing their competitiveness compared to international competitors.
How did you solve the problem?
The sustainable corn operational group achieves, through an innovative initiative, to improve profitability and sustainability through the implementation of new technologies in agriculture, and also proposes to offer an emissions calculator for the nation
What is innovative in your practical case?
– This project proposes the application of remote sensing technologies and GIS as tools to monitor corn plots. These tools allow diagnosing the spatio-temporal variability in the crop’s humidity level, vigor conditions, the presence and severity of pests
What are the success factors in solving the problem?
We have the right tools to achieve a more efficient distribution of the necessary supplies, which helps us perform tasks in a more precise and localized manner compared to conventional methods. The correct implementation of these new tools enables us to d
Lessons learned
– A Precision Agriculture Techniques Protocol (PATP) has been created and confirmed to be effective. The purpose of the PATP is to promote the implementation of innovative approaches to sustainably enhance the competitiveness of the sector. In addition, it seeks to facilitate adaptation and strengthen resilience to the likely impact of climate change, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.- A considerable number of farmers are progressively integrating variable dosage into their work practices. This approach allows them to achieve optimization in the use of inputs, such as seeds and fertilizers, during the cultivation process.
– Corn has been produced with a low carbon dioxide emissions rating, thanks to the adoption of sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. This feat takes on crucial importance in the context of current climate change.
– One of the notable milestones of this project has been the validation and demonstration, directly on the ground, empirically, that technology can not only boost agricultural productivity, but can also promote the sustainability of crops. Changing habits and traditions is a challenge for everyone, especially in a traditionally conservative agricultural environment. Projects like this, which materialize concrete solutions based on theoretical concepts, are highly valued and demanded by farmers and cooperatives.
– Corn of Spanish origin, certified in accordance with the European Renewable Energy Directive (2018/2001), through a voluntary sustainability scheme, uses a default value that, due to its global validity, is considerably high (around 400 kgCO2eq /t), which does not accurately reflect the reality of corn cultivation in Spain. On the contrary, corn from other countries outside the European Community, such as Ukraine or Brazil, usually use calculated emissions values considerably lower than the mentioned default value.
Within this project, we have managed to obtain an average emissions value of around 185 kgCO2eq/t. When adding to this value the emissions from the electricity used in irrigation and the natural gas used in the dryers, the total is around 230-240 kgCO2eq/t. In this way, we can conclude that the value obtained is at least 40% lower than the default value currently used.
What role does the advisor or advisory service play with the practical case?
The advisor or advisory service plays a crucial role. These professionals provide expert guidance and technical assistance to farmers, offering specialized knowledge on sustainable agricultural practices, the efficient use of resources, and the implementa
Can your approach be transferred and/or adapted for other innovation challenges and regions?
Yes
Estimated transferability on a scale from 1 to 5
(where 1 is easy and 5 very difficult)
1
For sharing the experience on the good practice, please contact
Manuel Pérez Ruiz
manuelperez@us.es
Link to external information
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