SOIL4AGRO – Living Labs for Regenerative Agriculture in Semi-Arid Zones / HORIZON-MISS-2025-05-SOIL-02-two-stage

Soil degradation in semi-arid regions of Africa and Latin America is accelerating due to overexploitation, climate change, and unsustainable agricultural practices. Despite global interest in regenerative agriculture, region-specific data, farmer-oriented innovation, and scalable models remain scarce. This project addresses the need to test, co-develop, and scale regenerative practices that are both climate-resilient and soil-health-enhancing.

Objectives

• Establish 3 interconnected Living Labs in semi-arid zones to test regenerative practices.

• Apply precision farming supported by AI to monitor soil health in real time.

• Use blockchain technology to ensure traceability and transparency in agricultural practices and soil data management.

• Co-create scalable, culturally adapted regenerative models with local stakeholders.

• Provide capacity-building for 300+ farmers, extension workers, and policymakers.

Methodology

• Living Lab Approach: Co-design, test, and refine practices such as agroforestry, composting, minimum tillage, and cover cropping.

• AI Tools: Use satellite imagery and in-field sensors for predictive modelling of soil moisture, carbon levels, and crop suitability.

• Blockchain: Deploy distributed ledgers for recording practices, soil metrics, and incentive distribution to farmers.

• Social Innovation: Incorporate indigenous knowledge and facilitate peer-learning among farmers.