• The MAPA has organized a meeting between Operational Groups and Innovative Projects on soils.
• During the meeting, participants were able to exchange knowledge and experiences on soil protection and improvement, and establish synergies among themselves.

Virtual day

During the meeting, attended by more than 200 registered participants , innovative measures in rural development programming were presented, emphasizing the Framework Programme as the EU's primary instrument for supporting research and innovation. In addition, speakers included Carmen Vela, a member of the Soil Health and Food Mission Committee, and Rocio Lansac, the Espejo Group's representative in Spain . They emphasized the importance of maintaining healthy soils and presented the mission's objectives and the actions being carried out in Spain in this area.

Five regional and national Operational Groups and Innovative Projects, as well as one international H2020 project, were presented at the exchange. Participants shared initiatives, results, progress, and experiences in the field, with two sessions for discussion and open debate.

• SHUI (H2020 Project): Soil Hydrology research platform Underpinning Innovation to manage water scarcity in European and Chinese cropping systems.
• GO MOSOEX (PNDR): Increased organic matter and sustainable management of extensive systems.
• GO CARBOCERT (PNDR): Quantification and certification of organic carbon in Mediterranean agricultural soils.
• GO LEÑOSOST ( PDR Madrid): Adaptation of agricultural soils to climate change scenarios. Conservation and carbon enhancement in woody crops.
• GO 4 Returns (PDR Andalucía): Restoration of degraded soils.
• TERRENOFERTIL (PDR Cantabria): Organic horticulture based on soil fertility management.

At the closing ceremony, the main conclusions drawn from each project were presented. The importance of having an innovative foundation that proposes solutions that allow us to address existing problems was highlighted, as was the need to establish synergies between different initiatives, with a multi-stakeholder approach, and, ultimately, the role of soils as a substrate for life and our obligation to protect and improve them.

What is innovation?

Innovation is an essential tool for achieving a sustainable and competitive agricultural and forestry sector within Europe. In the area of ​​agriculture and rural areas, in accordance with the Europe 2020 Strategy and the general objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy, innovation is considered an essential cross-cutting priority for achieving the objectives of European rural policy.

All the information about this event can be found on the website of the National Rural Network ( http://www.redruralnacional.es/-/jornada-intercambio-de-experiencias-entre-grupos-operativos-y-proyectos-innovadores-sobre-suelos ​).

The next conference will take place on April 21 and will address the topic of by-product valorization in agriculture, livestock, and the agri-food industry (full information and the registration link will be available soon on the National Rural Network website).