Animal Science

European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project “Development of Comprehensive Advisory Services for Enhancing Biodiversity on Farms” is financed under measure IRP31: Support for EIP projects in the National CAP strategic plan 2023-2027.

The agricultural sector is facing several economic challenges, including income divide and market price volatility, leading to constant adaptation and structural changes. The intensification and expansion of production often have negative effects on biodiversity and ecosystem services, which are crucial for sustainable farming. These processes lead to changes in agricultural landscapes, declining biodiversity, and habitat loss, including in Natura 2000 areas. A key challenge is the absence of sustainable models that balance production and conservation objectives. For this reason, the project focuses on implementing holistic farm management, customized advisory support, and sustainable solutions at the farm level.

The project’s core activityis the development of a comprehensive advisory methodology for farm holdings to enhance biodiversity and improve the economic sustainability of agricultural production. This approach involves collaboration among farmers, experts, and advisors, enabling the adaptation of farming practices to increase biodiversity while simultaneously improving economic outcomes. The protocol will be tested on eight partner farms, involving:

• An initial assessment of baseline conditions,
• Selection and implementation of practices,
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of these practices on nature, production, and farm economics.

We will prepare model calculations for selected conservation practices and enhance the capacity for implementing farm-level advice in Slovenia. Based on the results, we will develop a proposal for a new cost-effective agricultural policy measure to support integrated nature conservation and farm management advisory services for farm holdings in Slovenia.