Research Projects

Research Organisation Partners

• INRAT - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique de Tunisie (Tunisia)
•  CERTE - Centre des Recherches et des Technologies des Eaux (Tunisia)
•  GEPEA-CNRS - Laboratoire de Génie des Procédés - Environnement – Agroalimentaire (France)
•  MIND&GO - Mind-and-go (France)
•  INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (Morocco)
• UH1 - Université Hassan 1er (Morocco)
•  USMS - Sultan Moulay Slimane University (Morocco)
• ESTU - Eskisehir Technical University (Turkey)
• GEOBILGI - Geobilgi Bilişim Teknolojileri (Turkey)
• UL – Univerza v Ljubljani (Slovenia)

Abstract

The CombiFarm project is focused on the development of innovative, sustainable and circular agricultural systems designed to improve resource efficiency, food security and living conditions in rural areas in arid and semi-arid areas. The project combines (1) circular farming systems that combine energy, carbon and improved nutrient utilization through affordable technologies such as biochar, biogas and microalgae fertigation, (2) sustainable production systems based on low-input crops (alfalfa, sorghum, aloe vera, prickly pear, salicornia, lentils, chickpeas, durum wheat) and (3) smart solar drip irrigation systems for the production of (4) high-value bio-based products,  such as food, feed, cosmetics and biopesticides, at the local level.

At BF, we are developing a thin-layer system for growing microalgae with a nutrient medium from conditioned biogas digestate. We study the biostimulatory action of water obtained after harvesting algae in the fertigation system for growing tomatoes. We also study the release of nutrients from biochar and the impact on soil quality and vegetable yields. Biochar was obtained in the process of filtering biogas digestate, which is used purified for the cultivation of microalgae.

Researchers

• External link to dr. Rok Mihelič Open in new window
• External link to dr. Luka Juvančič Open in new window
• External link to Tanja Zrnec Drobnjak Open in new window
• External link to Ana Schwarzmann Open in new window
• External link to Vid Žitko Open in new window
• External link to Svetlana Gogič Knežić Open in new window 
• External link to Irena Tič Open in new window

The phases of the project and their realization

• R1 Optimized sustainable cropping systems based on low-input perennial crops and crop rotations
• R2 Optimized biogas process for farm-scale energy production
• R3 Optimized biochar cookstove combining clean cooking and biochar production
• R4 Optimized treatment of biogas plant digestate and agro-industrial effluents for microalgae cultivation
• R5 Biochar for optimized carbon recovery used as soil improver
• R6 Microalgae/cyanobacteria for optimized nutrient recovery and direct crop fertigation
• R7 Optimized bioproducts from sustainable cropping systems for food, feed and biopesticides
• R8 Smart farming systems and open-access low-cost process monitoring
• R9 Open-access online training courses and user guides based on good practices linking energy and agriculture
• R10 Policy briefing proposing socio-economic strategies for rural energy supply to agriculture professionals and policymakers