Market oriented, carbon sequestering and biodiversity enhancing crop rotations

There is a need for open discussion on the utilization of crop species which possibly sequester more carbon to the soil and are at the same time interesting choices for consumers to improve plant-based protein diet. The project will focus on less common, and thus often considered new, food crops, whose traits and impact to environment and human nutrition differ from cereals. Therefore, the project is looking for solutions where the requirements of changes in land use, in human diet and carbon sequestration will be considered at the same time. Know-how related to production of new crops, crop rotations, carbon sequestration and biodiversity potential connected to the new crops will be improved with the network. The network is created among primary production, advising sector, and research, to do testing and assessments. To assess the carbon feed stock for the selected new crops, remote sensing, satellite data and drone measuring will be used. Variety tests will be carried out for the less cultivated but potential protein crops. Dissemination of information and dialog will be enhanced between primary producers, small upgraders, and food catering sector. As a result, there is improved possibility to enhance the yield productivity of the new crops, to find better and functional crop rotations which include carbon sequestration and biodiversity. Also, there is more information among farmers to full fill the requirements of raw materials used by food catering, and vice versa they are more aware what kind of raw materials would be available locally