Imagine planting two different crops in the same field so they help each other grow, like a buddy system for plants. This method naturally keeps pests away and keeps the soil healthy without needing as many chemicals. The goal is to make this old-school trick work with modern machinery and sell the results to markets that want healthier food.
Farmers struggle to adopt sustainable intercropping because they lack the specific machinery and market channels to make it profitable compared to monoculture.
The project created 13 Co-Innovation Case Studies, simulation models for climate resilience, and the Interplay® serious game for value chain analysis.
If you are a machinery manufacturer dealing with the lack of specialized tools for mixed-crop farming — this project developed strategies for adapting agricultural machinery for intercropping that allows farmers to plant and harvest multiple crops simultaneously.
If you are a food processor dealing with a demand for more sustainable and nutritious ingredients — this project researched the functional qualities of grains from intercrops to help position these healthier options in the food market.
If you are an advisor dealing with farmers who fear the risk of switching to new planting methods — this project developed 13 Co-Innovation Case Studies and simulation models to prove climate resilience and profitability.
Based on available project data, the project focuses on optimizing resource use and reducing the need for inputs, which can lower costs, though specific price reductions are not listed.
The project is testing these methods across 15 sites and 13 Co-Innovation Case Studies to ensure they can be adapted to various local conditions and integrated into existing markets.
Based on available project data, the project is developing management tools and simulation models, but specific licensing terms have not been disclosed.
The project specifically targets the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the improvement of soil health to meet sustainability goals.
The project uses a multi-actor approach, including the Interplay® serious game, to identify barriers and levers that help farmers transition to intercropping.
The consortium is heavily research-driven with 15 universities and 4 research institutes, but it maintains a practical edge with 3 SMEs and 3 industrial partners. Spanning 15 countries across 3 continents, the group is well-positioned to validate these agricultural methods across diverse climates and market conditions.
Contact CIRAD EPIC in France for details on the 13 case studies.
Contact us to connect with the IntercropValuES consortium for pilot opportunities.
