On November 5 and 6, the project participated in workshops organized by the Andalusian Agency for Agricultural and Fisheries Management (AGAPA) as part of the HuMus project, another European initiative focused on restoring soil health and developing sustainable soil management frameworks.

The workshops took place in Huéscar and Bérchules and focused on practical, multidisciplinary approaches to soil regeneration, aligned with the European Union’s Soil Mission objectives for improving soil health and quality. The findings from these workshops will contribute to the creation of a Territorial Action Plan centered on soil health and sustainable rural practices.

Both SOILCRATES and HuMus are funded by the European Union and share similar goals, encouraging collaboration, knowledge exchange, and stronger networks to maximize impact.

The event brought together a wide range of participants, including policymakers, farmers, livestock producers, researchers, technical staff from the Andalusian government, and representatives of local associations. This reflects the “quadruple helix” approach, which promotes cooperation between public institutions, private sectors, academia, and civil society to develop sustainable territorial solutions.

Key topics discussed included:

  • Regenerative agriculture in arid and mountain regions
  • Sustainable soil restoration techniques
  • Regenerative grazing to restore biodiversity and improve soil quality
  • The need for stronger communication and cooperation between institutions and local stakeholders
  • Challenges such as low agricultural profitability, bureaucracy, water scarcity, soil erosion, and the declining number of young people entering the agricultural sector

The workshops also emphasized the importance of scientific research and evidence-based interventions to ensure effective rural and environmental sustainability strategies.

Overall, both initiatives demonstrate the European Union’s commitment to improving soil health, combating erosion, promoting sustainable and innovative land management practices, and supporting the social and economic transformation of rural territories through collaboration and local participation.

Source in spanish: https://improntagranada.es/soilcrates/el-proyecto-soilcrates-se-involucra-en-los-talleres-sobre-regeneracion-de-suelos-en-huescar-y-berchules/