EIT Food, Foodvalley, and Food Innovation Hub Europe launch first initiative to help farmers adopt regenerative practices
EIT Food, has launched Navarra 360º, the first landscape project of the Regenerative Innovation Portfolio
The project will invest EUR 3 million over three years to support 80 farmers in Navarre, northern Spain, to implement regenerative agriculture in their crop rotation systems. EIT Food is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.
Navarra 360º will combine financial support with training in technical aspects of regenerative practices, with a focus on oat, wheat and barley crops. The project will take a holistic approach, studying more than 60 key indicators including soil quality, biodiversity, water use, carbon footprint, as well as social and economic indicators.
The expected results include a 20 per cent reduction in the use of phytosanitary products and a 40 per cent reduction in mineral fertilisation. The project will conclude in 2026 and will inform the design and delivery of further landscapes in other parts of Europe.
The launch of the project was attended by José María Aierdi, Regional Minister for Rural Development and the Environment of the Government of Navarre, who described the project as 'pioneering in Europe' and emphasised 'its contribution to making green agriculture profitable'.
EIT Food will act as general coordinator for the project, having trained more than 2 000 farmers in nine European countries since 2020, and delivered more than 30 workshops a year for professionals in the sector.
Foodvalley partners in the Portfolio programme management and has supported bringing partners to the landscape. Foodvalley coordinates and implements a broader community around the Regenerative Innovation portfolio, which unites key players from across the landscape, industry partners, start-ups, research centers, and universities.
Farmers are the basis of the project: their involvement is the key to everything. Each activity has been designed with them, with a participative process, to help them in their transition, and is aligned with the values we want to transmit.
Melissa Comellas, Regional Programme Manager of the Regenerative Agriculture Programme and Navarra 360º
The Food Innovations Hub (FIH) strengthens national and regional innovation ecosystems by convening stakeholders, mobilising partners, and facilitating knowledge exchange at both regional and global levels. Many inspiring food innovation initiatives are learning valuable lessons. By creating connections between these initiatives and ensuring the sharing of best practices, FIH aims to contribute to a strong movement towards sustainable future food systems.
When this project came about over a year ago, it was essential to convince the most pioneering companies in this field to work together, because together we can make more progress than individually.
Begoña Pérez Villarreal, Director for EIT Food South
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