Soil Care for profitable and sustainable crop production in Europe

European crop production is to remain competitive while reducing environmental impacts, requiring development and uptake of effective soil improving
cropping systems. The overall aim of SOILCARE is to identify and evaluate promising soil-improving cropping systems and agronomic
techniques increasing profitability and sustainability across scales in Europe. A trans-disciplinary approach will be used to evaluate benefits and
drawbacks of a new generation of soil improving cropping systems, incorporating all relevant bio-physical, socio-economic and political aspects.
Existing information from literature and long term experiments will be analysed to develop a comprehensive methodology for assessing
performance of cropping systems at multiple levels. A multi-actor approach will be used to select promising soil-improving cropping systems for
scientific evaluation in 16 study sites across Europe covering different pedo-climatic and socio-economic conditions. Implemented cropping
systems will be monitored with stakeholder involvement, and will be assessed jointly with scientists. Specific attention will be paid to adoption of
soil-improving cropping systems and agronomic techniques within and beyond the study sites. Results from study sites will be up-scaled to the
European level to draw general lessons about applicability potentials of soil-improving cropping systems and related profitability and sustainability
impacts, including assessing barriers for adoption at that scale. An interactive tool will be developed for end-users to identify and prioritize suitable
soil-improving cropping systems anywhere in Europe. Current policies and incentives will be assessed and targeted policy recommendations will
be provided. SOILCARE will take an active dissemination approach to achieve impact from local to European level, addressing multiple audiences,
to enhance crop production in Europe to remain competitive and sustainable through dedicated soil care.