Duration: 36 months (1 September 2024 – 31 August 2027)
Coordinator: prof. Dusko Mukaetov, PhD, Department for soil science and plant nutrition, University “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” Institute of Agriculture – Skopje институт, Скопје
Partner from EU: University of PATRAS - Department of Agriculture, Greece
The project EcoBASE aims at creating a network between universities, managing entities and policy makers to elaborate a strategy and good practices, essential for the preservation, protection of nature, biodiversity, and green infrastructure, including rural and urban areas, and reducing all forms of soil pollution and degradation.
Soil degradation is a cause of alarm, as it is an essential ecosystem related to food production, energy, raw materials, carbon sequestration, water purification, and nutrient regulation.
The main problems for soils in the EU are irreversible losses due to increasing soil salinity, soil sealing and soil erosion, and continuing deterioration due to local contamination and diffuse contamination (acidification, heavy metals, and organic pollutants). The Incremental loss and deterioration of Europe’s and especially Adriatic – Ionian area soil resources will continue and probably increase due to climate change, land-use changes, and other human activities.
The project aims to create a digital learning platform for all agricultural producers, linked with a novel farming advisory system and a marketplace with widely open farming tools that help to follow EU Soil Strategy.
The main goal is to provide individual farmers with all the necessary tools and knowledge to facilitate the adaptation of modern, sustainable, and efficient agricultural techniques.
Within the framework of the ECOBASE project, two pillar projects will be implemented:
1. Sustainable Soil Management from Farmers
2. Soil remediation Methodology
Proposed project will offer solutions for above mentioned challenges, specifically with:
• Methodology, Operative procedures, and basic equipment in the field of soil monitoring, preservation, and protection.a
• Survey form to evaluate the degradation of soil.
• Geo database filled with soil data based on soil analysis, sensor measurements. Data will be visualized and shared through GIS platform.
• Database Architecture and metadata collected.
• Tools for farmers helping to monitoring soil status.
• Program for training farmers, taking advantage of the multidisciplinary skills of partners.
