Project SCOPE
The LegumES project seeks to address key challenges in modern agriculture by focusing on the environmental, economic, and social benefits of legume crops. The project promotes legume cultivation as a solution for reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and improving soil health. Additionally, the project aims to enhance biodiversity, contribute to sustainable food systems, and strengthen rural communities by providing alternative economic opportunities through legume-based agriculture. The research spans across multiple European regions, ensuring diverse ecological and agricultural contexts are studied.
The LegumES project integrates scientific research, innovation, and policy development to achieve its goals. By working with a range of stakeholders—including farmers, policymakers, and researchers—the project creates a robust framework for adopting legume-based systems at scale, ensuring that the results are relevant to both local and EU-wide agricultural policies.
HOW IT WORKS
The LegumES project operates through a combination of research phases, pilot studies, and real-time field monitoring across various European climates and soils. First, the project collects extensive baseline data on legume cultivation, including soil composition, water retention, and carbon sequestration capabilities. These studies are conducted across a network of experimental sites to ensure broad applicability.
Next, the project introduces new legume varieties that are adapted to changing environmental conditions. These innovations aim to enhance crop resilience, reduce input needs, and maximize yields. Throughout the process, detailed environmental and socioeconomic data is collected and analyzed. Researchers assess the long-term effects of legumes on soil health, ecosystem services, and economic outcomes for rural areas.
In parallel, the project engages farmers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers, offering training and practical insights. These stakeholders receive direct access to the findings and participate in workshops and outreach programs designed to transfer knowledge and encourage the adoption of legumes. The project also leverages digital tools, such as precision agriculture techniques, to monitor progress in real-time and adjust recommendations based on data-driven insights.
This approach ensures that the LegumES project delivers practical, scalable solutions that contribute to agricultural sustainability, with the ultimate goal of informing both policy and practice across the European Union.