SOILRES: a new project to restore European soils and strengthen sustainable agriculture

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SOILRES: a new project to restore European soils and strengthen sustainable agriculture

The new European project SOILRES – Soil Health and Crop Resilience through Biodiversity was launched on 1 June 2025, with the aim of testing practices that promote soil health regeneration, enhance crop resilience, and reduce the environmental impacts of agriculture in Europe.

Funded by the Horizon Europe programme and coordinated by Aarhus University in Denmark, the project brings together researchers, farmers, and institutions from several countries, including Denmark, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, and Portugal.

Portugal is represented by Quinta da Cholda and a team from the Instituto Superior de Agronomia, composed of David Fangueiro (LEAF), Francisca Aguiar (CEF), Henrique Ribeiro (LEAF), Mariana Mota (LEAF), and Ricardo Braga (LEAF).

SOILRES will explore biodiversity-based solutions—such as cover crops, biostimulants, organic amendments, biochar, and digital tools—tailored to different production systems and regional conditions.

Six case studies, located in various regions across Europe, will serve as testing and demonstration platforms, promoting the exchange of knowledge among farmers, researchers, and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector.

In addition to developing practical and economically sustainable regenerative agriculture strategies, the project also aims to contribute to public policy formulation and align with the European Union’s strategic objectives, namely the “Farm to Fork”, “Biodiversity 2030”, and “Soil Mission: A Deal for Europe” initiatives.