Innovative solutions for low-carbon crop production combined with improved field descaling technology - an innovative practice to reduce the carbon footprint of rye, sugar beet and alfalfa crops using a field descaling machine

Project title: Innovative solutions for low-carbon crop production combined with improved field descaling technology - an innovative practice to reduce the carbon footprint of rye, sugar beet and alfalfa crops using a field descaling machine, improving soil structure, efficiency of cultivation technologies and on-farm organisation

The need for the operation stems directly from the need of agricultural producers and the market need, and is also indicated by the results of ongoing research. While there are currently various models and types of machinery on the market for collecting stones from agricultural fields, they are all based on a destructive approach to the process.

There is currently no machine on the market that can clear a cultivated field of different calibres of stones without sometimes interfering too deeply with the soil. Such an approach makes it easier to carry out further agro-technical operations, but has a very negative impact on its physico-chemical properties and the entire soil ecosystem.

At the same time, it should be noted that current machinery on the market does not allow for proper management of water in the soil, which translates into water run-off from the soil and the need to supply water to the crop in times of water shortage.

The aim of the operation will be to develop and implement an innovative solution for low-carbon crop production combined with improved field descaling technology. The innovative practice of lowering the carbon footprint using a field descaling machine, protecting the soil structure, improving the efficiency of cultivation technologies and on-farm organisation will be applied to the cultivation of rye, sugar beet and alfalfa.

Project activities

The scope of planned activities includes:

1. The project envisages the development of a prototype stone-collecting machine. It will be a significantly improved solution in relation to those existing on the market primarily due to the fact that in addition to the basic functionality, i.e. collection of stones from the field surface, the prototype created as a result of the implementation of the operation will enable protection of the soil from excessive drying and spraying and thus will avoid unnecessary emission of greenhouse gases and will leave the soil appropriately compacted, which determines the formation of a proper seedbed and water absorption.
2. Carry out research on testing, optimisation of parameters and effects of the resulting prototype. This will require the purchase of a tractor to pull and drive the resulting machine. 
3. Assessing the agronomic and economic efficiency of implementing the developed solution.
4. Conducting a carbon audit on the farm, which will enable the farm to determine the level of greenhouse gas emissions and compare them to baseline levels in order to identify ways to save money through improved use of raw materials and improved energy efficiency.

The main benefits of the project

The planned operation envisages the introduction of a series of product, technological and organisational innovations aimed at improving the quality of the field decalcification process in low-carbon crop production for sugar beet, rye and alfalfa.

• Improved sugar beet, rye and alfalfa products (product innovation) will be implemented, surpassing the characteristics of these products offered in conventional cultivation.
• An improved soil surface preparation technology will be implemented, based on a prototype descaling machine (technological innovation), which will work with precision farming systems, and a new method of organising field production, where it will not be necessary to re-enter with other machinery before sowing (innovative organisation method).

Practice summary

The project will contribute to an increase in the quality of Polish crop production through the implementation of a prootype field decalcification machine for low-carbon cultivation of beet, rye and alfalfa.

• The implementation of the solutions developed in the project will contribute to high quality beet, rye and alfalfa products cultivated in a manner consistent with the principles and practices of carbon farming.
• The development of an efficient economic model will contribute to improving the productivity and competitiveness of such production and to applying the machine itself in the most marketable way possible.
• Management of the production process will positively influence both resource, cost and environmental optimisation of crop production. Farms which will apply the recommendations and recommendations provided by the solution will reduce production costs will become competitive in relation to other farms in the country and the EU.

The results of the Operation, by improving the efficiency of the soil preparation process for sowing, increasing soil vitality and modification towards lowering gas emissions, will evidently influence environmental protection and support the area in mitigating the effects of climate change.

As a result of the recommendations, farms will be made aware of the importance of production using natural production methods.