Franziska Häfner

Agroscope · Agroecology and Environment

Agroscope’s research programme Indicate develops indicators for positive and negative farm environmental impacts. Recorded by means of new digital technologies, these metrics are intended to support farmers in easily identifying and optimising the ecological services of their farms. Bodencockpit [= ‘Soil Cockpit’] The indicators of this project create a per-plot overview of the state of the soil and the management methods used. A comparison of the current metrics with location-related recommendations as well as with reference values of comparable farms is intended to highlight the potential for improvement.

Aim of the project was to characterize C and N fractions of digestates form different feedstocks and to refer differences in composition to C and N mineralization, N fertilizer value, and short-term N2O emissions.

SiEUGreen aspires to enhance the EU-China cooperation in promoting urban agriculture for food security, resource efficiency and smart, resilient cities. Building on the model of zero-waste and circular economy, it will demonstrate how technological and societal innovation in urban agriculture can have a positive impact on society and economy, by applying novel resource-efficient agricultural techniques in urban and peri-urban areas, developing innovative approaches for social engagement and empowerment and investigating the economic, environmental and social benefits of urban agriculture. In order to achieve its objectives, SiEuGreen brings together a multi-disciplinary Consortium of European and Chinese researchers, technology providers, SMEs, financiers, local and regional authorities and citizen communities. The project consists in the preparation, deployment and evaluation of showcases in 5 selected European and Chinese urban and peri-urban areas: a previous hospital site in Norway, community gardens in Denmark, previously unused municipal areas with dense refugee population in Turkey, big urban community farms in Beijing and Central China. Throughout SiEUGreen’s implementation, EU and China will share technologies and experiences, thus contributing to the future developments of urban agriculture and urban resilience in both continents. The impact measurement during and especially beyond the project period is a key component in the project’s design. Information and results obtained from the project will be disseminated through diverse communication and dissemination tools including, social media, an innovative app enhancing urban codesign, stakeholder conferences, hand-on training workshops, showcase demonstration forums, municipality events. A sustainable business model allowing SiEUGreen to live beyond the project period is planned by joining forces of private investors, governmental policy makers, communities of citizens, academia and technology providers. The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research, and Innovation programme, under grant Agreement N 774233 and from the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology.