Agronomy

Project Comprehensive solutions for climate-resilient crop production: strengthening knowledge, skills, and infrastructure is an European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project, funded under intervention IRP38 – Consortia of Knowledge Institutions Supporting the Transition of Agriculture toward Green, Digital, and Climate-Neutral Practices as part of the Strategic Plan 2023-2027 of the Common Agricultural Policy for the Republic of Slovenia.

External link to https://www.gov.si/zbirke/projekti-in-programi/skupna-kmetijska-politika/ Open in new window

Project duration: June 19, 2025 – June 19, 2029

Partners

• The Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing (lead partner)
• University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty
• Agricultural Institute of Slovenia
• University of Maribor, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences
• Science and Research Centre Koper
• School for Horticulture and Visual Arts Celje
• Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia
• Institute of Agriculture and Forestry Celje
• Institute of Agriculture and Forestry Ptuj
• Institute of Agriculture and Forestry Kranj
• Marovt Miha Farm
• Ribič Jožef Farm
• Zupanc Matej Farm
• Žagar Primož Farm
• Korpar Peter Farm
• Zatler Pavel Farm
• Novak Iris Farm
• Jeruzalem Ormož SAT d.o.o.

Brief Description

Climate change is among the most pressing challenges of agriculture today. Combinations of measure to support adapting to climate change are needed in practice. It is crucial to ensure proper support for knowledge and knowledge transfer in of measures that help mitigate the effects of climate change. These include adapted crops and resilient varieties, climate-adapted greenhouse production, the use of beneficial microorganisms to reduce drought stress, the development of aerobiological methods for pest monitoring and more efficient use of plant protection products and biostimulants, advanced technologies for circular solutions for manure processing, the introduction of cover crop mixtures, adapted crop rotations, and practices for better water retention and maintenance of other agroecological functions as well as irrigation. The share of irrigated agricultural land in the country is among the lowest in Europe, while the knowledge system and quality of agricultural support in field of adaptation to climate change are still to be improved.

The IRP38 instrument represents an effective platform connecting agricultural producers, key institutions, and organizations in this field, while creating a research and development environment for efficient knowledge transfer to end users. Establishing a consortium for climate change adaptation forms the basis for implementing concrete measures to improve agricultural efficiency, sustainable water resource management, and innovation in agriculture. Through collaboration and coordination among various stakeholders, the project aims to achieve sustainable solutions for climate change challenges in agriculture.

The shared vision of the consortium is to provide better, sustainable, and systemic solutions for more efficient use of water resources in agriculture, thereby reducing negative environmental impacts and promoting the long-term sustainable development of an agricultural sector that is more resilient to climate change.

Objectives and Results

Connecting Knowledge Institutions within the AKIS System: Establish a permanent partnership among creators, exchangers, and providers of knowledge in the field of climate change adaptation in plant production.

Investment in Experimental and Demonstration Infrastructure; Establishment and upgrading of irrigation and soil physics laboratories, experimental and demonstration infrastructure, soil water monitoring networks, and climate-adapted cultivation systems across Slovenia. Activities include testing precision irrigation technologies, agroecological approaches, drought resilience measures, crop rotation adaptations, plant–microbe interactions, and sustainable soil and plant management practices under changing climate conditions.

Development of Knowledge Focused on Farmers’ Needs: Support for farms in developing and upgrading irrigation forecasting systems, including testing innovative soil water monitoring equipment and approaches at multiple locations.

Accelerating Knowledge Transfer to Farmers and Other AKIS Stakeholders; Support and knowledge exchange with AKIS stakeholders for implementing irrigation forecasting systems, integrating newly tested technologies and approaches, and improving farmers’ knowledge for sustainable and efficient water management.

Development and Transfer of Systemic Agricultural Solutions: Develop and optimize monitoring of available soil water for regulating irrigation in precision agriculture as a systemic solution for climate adaptation in agricultural production. This contributes to increased farm competitiveness, climate adaptation, greenhouse gas emission reduction, more efficient energy use, sustainable water and soil management, and enhances ecosystem services.

Expected Key Results

• Upgraded comprehensive soil analytics and expanded capacities in Slovenia
• Improved soil water monitoring and irrigation forecasting network
• Testing the effectiveness of digitalization in irrigation under different socio-economic and environmental conditions
• Improved competencies for implementing effective climate change adaptation measures

Follow project at official web-page:

Official project webpage: External link to IRP 38: CLIMAGROW – Inštitut za hmeljarstvo in pivovarstvo Slovenije Open in new window

More information about the project: Rozalija Cvejić, ozalija.cvejic@uni-lj.si