For five years, multi-actor approaches built around field experiments and case studies have generated original insights to achieve the full potential of crop diversification and develop more sustainable value chains. 📣 Key messages from DiverIMPACTS:.

Soil borne pests and pathogens can bring major constraints to crop production and their suppression often relies on synthetic chemicals. ▶ This Practice Abstract presents a new approach to crop protection: Biofumigation. #CropProtection #biocontrol

Different types of #collaborations and relationships in #valuechains are becoming pivotal to promote ancient varieties to final consumers as well as diversifying the landscape. ▶ Learn more about the analysis based on six case studies:. #CaseStudies

Value chains with close collaboration between actors enable fair sales of smaller volumes of diverse products - which is important for farmers wishing to diversify their cropping systems. ▶ Read more:. #valuechain #cooperation #markets

Barriers hindering the development of diversified cropping systems are found not only at the farm level but also at other stages of value chains. ▶ The importance of coordination and tools to frame collaboration:. #collaboration #valuechains

Benefits of strip tillage: Protection of the soil by keeping a living cover crop, reduction of work time, energy consumption and costs. ▶ An example in sugar beet is explained in this practice abstract:. #soiltillage #croppingsystem #sugerbeet

How can the positive environmental performance of products from systems with crop diversification be highlighted? Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) from field to fork is the answer. ▶ #LCA #cropdiversification

Organic cereals and pulses for local human consumption diversify intensive organic vegetable rotations and are valorised within local value chains. ▶ More about small scale diversification:. #rotation #organic #diversification

How to assess the benefits of farm diversification?.The SMART Tool rates the level of diversification and sustainability performance of a farm. ▶ Further information and the link to the tool:. #assessmenttool #farmdiversification #Sustainability

To build a successful partnership, sheep and arable farmers should discuss some important points in advance. ▶ A list of these key points can be found in the following practice abstract:. #partnership #cooperation #sheepgrazing

With the aim to draw lessons for ongoing and new crop diversification #initiatives, we analysed the ways in which #casestudies have worked towards ‘anchoring’ their novelties in society. Learn more about three forms of anchoring:.▶ #cropdiversification

How can the use of chemical herbicides in maize cultivation be reduced? Diversification of maize cultivation is one possible solution. ▶ Practical recommendations:. #noherbicides #weedcontrol #diversification

What are the Ingredients for successful crop diversification?.Based on the results from the DiverIMPACTS field experiments covering a range of spatial and temporal diversification, 5 key ingredients were identified:.▶ #cropdiversification #successfactors

Demand for local food is increasing, but competition for small scale and local production is fierce. This practice abstract gives recommendations on how local value chains can be used and extended -to promote authentic products. ▶ #localfood #valuechain

Recent #cropdiversification experiences and scientific literature have been analysed using two different methodological approaches. The data and the results of these analyses are publicly available through two updated web-based #applications. ▶

Legumes such as Alexandria clover, faba beans and fenugreek in a rotation with rapseed, wheat and barley: A way to provide more ecosystem services and reduce the use of mineral N inputs and pesticides. ▶Learn more: #Intercropping #practiceabstract

Reducing carbon emissions by combining winter and spring crops - more in this DiverIMPACTS Practice Abstract:. ▶ #carbonemissions #croppingsystem #rotation

One common vision: An agriculture without pesticides or soil tillage - and a participative research group working towards it. How collaboration can help in managing a complex systemic transition:.▶ #croppingsystem #learning #fieldexperiments

Introducing bees to increase farm income and diversity? YES! 🐝🐝🐝. More about honey plant cropping in this Practice Abstract:.▶ #rotation #multiplecropping #apiculture

What are the benefits of combining yellow peas with wheat? A case study in Belgium has investigated this 🌾. The results are available in this Practice Abstract:.▶ #Intercropping #organic #croppingsystem