July, 2018
Implementation of an evaluation system for Organic Regenerative Farming under the holistic 4 Return model
ORF-4R Evaluation for Organic Regenerative Farming
Our activities focus on SE Spain, which covers more than 1.000.000 hectares of semiarid steppes. The region suffers an intense process of desertification triggered by a severe aridity and water scarcity, overgrazing, water overexplotation, land degradation, rural abandonment, and high unemployment rates. These drivers have led to serious environmental problems and especially to a generalized soil degradation process. This undermines the potential for commercial farming in the future. Other consequences are people's lack of inspiration and poor economic development in this territory.
Our start-up company Almendrehesa, S.L. has been created in september of 2016 as an enterprise within a larger-scale landscape restoration initiative in Southeast Andalucia, one of the areas of the world with the highest risk of desertification.
Technology demonstrated in relevant environment.
Representative model or prototype system, which is well beyond that of TRL 5, is tested in a relevant environment. Represents a major step up in a technology’s demonstrated readiness. Examples include testing a prototype in a high-fidelity laboratory environment or in a simulated operational environment.
Representative model or prototype system, which is well beyond that of TRL 5, is tested in a relevant environment. Represents a major step up in a technology’s demonstrated readiness. Examples include testing a prototype in a high-fidelity laboratory environment or in a simulated operational environment.
There are different existing tools to evaluate sustainability like SMART, SAFA, MESMIS or RISE. Most are based on FAO standards for sustainability. We will test the RISE tool for our test because it has been applied in the practice in many countries of the world, except in Spain and under the special focus on Organic Regenerative Agriculture. Numerous institutions have already worked with RISE, e.g. Nestlé, Danone or the Swiss Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL).
How does it work?
To carry out the work of ORF-4R evaluation, the assessment tool RISE, developed by the BERN UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCE - SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURAL, FOREST AND FOOD SCIENCE (HAFL) will be tested for suitability in our project. RISE is a computer-supported method, which facilitates a holistic assessment of agricultural operations. The evaluation is based on ten indicators that reflect environmental, economic and social aspects. The evaluated data are visualized as a sustainability polygon and serve as a basis to a feedback dialogue in which the farmer and the trained RISE consultant jointly identify potentials for improving farm sustainability performance.
By logging in you can access to more detailed information on the innovation