Six innovative projects to develop agriculture committed to the present and future of the planet | Environmental News

2023-09-08 18:52:59

The Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation contributes to the food transition through accompanying sustainable food projects in all links of the food chain, from production to consumption, through its calls and subsidies.

Within the framework of World Agriculture Daycelebrated every September 9 To value those who dedicate their lives to cultivating the land to provide us with food, the Foundation shares six innovative projects that exemplify how by making changes at different levels and scales, an agriculture that addresses the challenges of the present and outlines a more sustainable future is possible. for people and the planet.

Agricultural spaces for approaching the profession

Despite the need for a generational change in the countryside, youth continue to consider the agricultural profession as a minority employment option. According to the data collected in the report The path to agricultural employment in Territorialized Agri-Food Systems, published by CERAI and the Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation, 31% of farm owners are over 65 years old, 51% are between 45 and 64 years old, and only 4% are under 35 years old. To address this problem, there are different projects that seek generational change in the agricultural profession, favoring access to farmland for limited periods to assess whether it is a path that people want to continue.

Located in Vizcaya, in the municipality of Berriz, the Haztegia project has as its main objective facilitate the incorporation of a new generation of young farmers in rural municipalities, contributing to stopping rural depopulation. To this end, its members have created an “agrarian test space”, spaces that offer complete and progressive support in the installation of new agents in the agricultural sector. In the case of Haztegia, they have created an entrepreneurship space in organic horticulture in which interested people will be able to experiment with their project for a period of 3 years, after which new entrepreneurial people will enter.

Also in the Commonwealth of Andia in Navarra, at risk of depopulation due to high aging and lack of generational replacement, the Association for Rural Development Zunbeltz LGE seeks the consolidation of a “test” space: the “agricultural test space“, already constituted in the form of a pilot project, which is in a position to support the installation of a certain number of future ranchers to promote the generational change in the area, according to principles of collaboration, circular economy and the conservation of the natural values.

Digitalization for process optimization

Although public administrations currently highlight the importance of digitalizing the agri-food sector to improve its impact, many of these efforts are focused on agriculture 4.0with practices such as the use of drones or sensors that are largely not aligned with the real situation and the scale of the sustainable food. For this reason, the Foundation supports a line of work focused on designing specific digitalization processes for the agroecological sector with initiatives that demonstrate that, with adapted digital tools, the sector has ample potential to strengthen the scale leap of agroecological food.

Plant on Demand was born to bring the most advanced technology to the world of agroecology and local production, thus accelerating the transition to more sustainable and ethical production and consumption models. Its technology allows organic producers and producer groups to digitalize their operations and gain efficiency and competitiveness, with e-commerce, billing, payment management, traceability, logistics management and picking tools. This same technology also facilitates the management of Food Hubs (logistics and collection centers) where producers in the same region can centralize the distribution and sale of products, distributing them to schools, hospitals, families or restaurants. Its turnover in 2021 (its first year on the market), which amounted to 67,000 euros, and its contracts of more than 300,000 euros in 2022, supports the validity of its model.

For large groups such as those that manage canteens, consumer groups or retail businesses, there are platforms such as Ekoalde: a group of organic food producers and processors in Navarra that makes it easier for different producers to centralize their products, in addition to creating a joint catalog , organize distribution and offer an excellent commercial and logistics service, promoting rural development and contributing to the viability of the primary sector by dignifying the work of local producers and connecting them with consumers through this digital platform and the catalog set.

Another trade is possible

Cooperative supermarkets play a fundamental role in the sustainability of the food chain by establishing a direct connection between farmers, their products and consumerswho also actively participate in the supermarket’s decisions.

In this sense, LA OSA is a supermarket located in Madrid in which consumers make the most important decisions, such as the strategy, the prices that are established and how to buy. To be part of this establishment you only need to become a member of the supermarket-cooperative. Its members have a self-management model which allows reducing the operating costs of the supermarket. In addition, the margins they manage are lower than in most similar businesses, which allows them to offer affordable prices on a wide range of products. It is inclusive, since they offer products that cover consumer needs and choices.

With more than 1,800 references, the cooperative supermarket A Vecinal is considering making a leap into online sales to also market its organic and non-organic foods and products, but locally, through this channel in which a collection point is contemplated in the own facilities. The supermarket opened approximately four years ago in Zaragoza with a firm commitment to selling organic and non-organic food and products, but local and local.

These examples of real and successful projects show how it is key that there are aware consumers, to give meaning to the work of farmers, their productions and the choice of sustainable practices. An entire chain in which each link is crucial to articulate an agriculture committed to the present.

Press contact: Amanda Rubio
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