Growing Beyond Monoculture

Final episode in the DIVERSify web series goes live

Please accept statistics, marketing cookies to watch this video.

As part of the EU Horizon 2020 research project DIVERSify, researchers have been working on investigating the viability of species mixture cropping as an alternative to crop monoculture.

During the project, we have worked with Taskscape Associates Ltd – the Diversify Consortium Partner for Communication, Knowledge Exchange and Participation –  to create a video web series which explores the practical and theoretical considerations of mixed cropping and the ecosystem services that they can provide. The series explains where innovations have led to progress but also further opportunities still to be realised and future research and development needs.

This final episode in the web series, which has been released this week, aims to highlight the project’s key findings. These have been generated over four years of research trials and are combined with feedback from farmers and other stakeholders on the potential challenges, benefits and learnings on mixture cropping throughout the project. Most importantly, the final episode summarises the project’s overall recommendations about the opportunities for using mixed cropping in farming and downstream value chains.

Dr Alison Karley, co-ordinator of the DIVERSify project, explains: “The final episode in the DIVERSify web-series summarises recommendations about the use of mixed cropping, based on our research trials across Europe and North Africa. It also highlights how decision-makers could provide financial and policy support for mixed cropping and recommends ways to ensure that intercropping knowledge is shared across agricultural communities.”

The key recommendations from the project so far are built around:

  • Reducing Inputs
  • Supporting Agrobiodiversity
  • Knowledge Sharing
  • Diversifying the Cropping Sequence
  • Leveraging Opportunities

To find out more on the project and to watch the last episode in the DIVERSify web series, please go to www.plant-teams.eu/watch

Sign up to our e-Bulletin

Sign up to ORC’s e-bulletin and be the first to receive updates from our in-the-field research and the latest organic and agroecological news and events. Delivered to your inbox monthly.

Newsletter signup

By submitting this form, you are agreeing for us to contact you by email about our research, knowledge exchange, policy support and fundraising. Your details will only be used by the Organic Research Centre (ORC) in adherence with our Privacy Policy.

If you would like to change how you receive communications from the ORC or update your contact details, please click the appropriate link at the footer of any email you receive from us, or contact: supporters@organicresearchcentre.com