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Project title

DNet4SSoils: A Distributed National Network for evaluation of low-input sustainable crop+soil solutions, using an on-farm automated crop cultivation platform

Primary Funding Agency

Science Foundation Ireland

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

Lead Organisation

Maynooth University

Lead Applicant

Not listed

Project Abstract

Spring and summer drought will become a feature of the Irish Climate over the next 20 years, at a time when the Agriculture sector will be decoupling from high-input farming strategies and moving toward expanded organic and low-input farming. This dual challenge presents an acute pressure point for the national sustainability strategy. One key but underutilised national asset that can boost drought resilience in crops is healthy soil, which is a priority for low-input farming. However, unlike in the high-input high-output cropping model which has capacity to override local environmental challenges, boosting the soil-to-crop dividend is a complex process, strongly influenced by local conditions, and dependent on accumulated local experience. This project proposes a novel low-cost technology platform that can streamline the localised soil x crop evaluation process, delivering a dispersed, farm-based, standardised, data-rich soil and crop evaluation testing capacity. This fine-grained data will support farm-based decision making, and reduce soil management and crop selection risks. When established on a national basis, the project can enable the Irish farm to become a data- and knowledge- producer, not just an advice receiver, and help reposition the agriculture sector to tackle the unprecedented climate and sustainability challenges it faces.

Grant Approved

�297,608.00

Research Hub

Climate Change

Research Theme

3. Climate Solutions, Transition Management and Opportunities

Start Date

01/09/2023

Initial Projected Completion Date

28/02/2025