Research project Smart solutions for carbon farming in northwest Europe
General introduction
The agricultural sector in the EU, accounting for 8.7 million jobs, is under great pressure. By 2040, 62% of farms are at risk of closing, while the sector must continue to innovate to remain competitive and meet the 2050 climate neutrality target. Carbon farming, which compensates farmers for storing carbon or reducing emissions, is a key pillar for an economically sustainable agribusiness in north-west Europe (NWE), which comprises 48% of EU farmland. Reliable and affordable certification of carbon performance is crucial, but current measurement methods are complex and expensive, eating up 20-40% of farmers' profits. Smart Cambon Farming (SCF) is developing smart, scalable solutions to make carbon farming economically viable.
Research approach
SCF offers a holistic and innovative approach to support carbon farming by:
Smart technologies: Use of robotics, hyperspectral sensors and other promising technologies to enable cost-effective and accurate monitoring for both mineral and peat soils.Demonstration and practical application: Testing of technologies on 15 demo farms in 5 NWE countries for farm-level and regional analyses. In addition, training of 50 farmers to apply carbon farming methods and technologies.Embedding in innovation ecosystems: Collaboration with existing Digital Innovation Hubs (such as EDIH Boost Robotics East NL) and policy makers to integrate carbon farming into regional and national policies.Relevance/Valorization
SCF makes carbon farming scalable and economically viable, making it a viable business model for farmers in NWE. This strengthens the region's competitiveness and helps achieve climate goals. By engaging farmers through participatory methods and clear training, SCF contributes to practical solutions that meet their needs. The results promote not only the sustainability of individual farms, but also the overall transition to a climate-neutral and innovative agricultural sector in Europe.
