Driving the agroecological transition in the Baltic and Nordic regions

BIO-CROP introduces and tests Multilayer Relay Cropping Systems (MRCS) — combinations of cereals, legumes, cover crops and allelopathic species, supported by on-farm bio-based inputs — to improve soil health, biodiversity and farm resilience while reducing dependency on synthetic inputs.

Where the project comes from

BIO-CROP is built on real farming challenges across the Baltic and Nordic regions, where short growing seasons, fragile soils and climate variability strain input-intensive systems. The project was developed through close research–practice interaction with farmers, advisors and innovation actors, and is delivered by a balanced consortium of research, advisory and innovation partners — with complementary perspectives from France and Türkiye.

From input reduction to system redesign

BIO-CROP is designed to drive — not merely support — the agroecological transition. It moves the focus from input reduction toward whole-system redesign, emphasising crop diversity, soil health and long-term resilience. Co-creation through Living Labs ensures that farmers, researchers, advisors and policymakers shape and test practices together under real conditions.

Research questions

•  How can we design efficient relay cropping systems for the Baltic-Nordic context?

•  How can these systems remain economically viable for farmers?

•  How can their adoption be supported by policy and value chains?

Our approach

•  Field trials embedded in Living Labs across seven countries.

•  Environmental and economic system-performance analysis (LCA, socio-economic modelling).

•  Structured engagement with policymakers and value-chain actors.

Aligned with EU priorities

BIO-CROP responds directly to the European Green Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy, the EU Soil Strategy for 2030 and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and contributes evidence to support agroecology-based payment models and policy instruments.

Funding

The project is funded by the European Union and national funding bodies.

In Lithuania, the project activities are funded by the Research Council of Lithuania.

Project No. LMT – S-Agroecology 26-1.

BIO-CROP — AGROECOLOGY Partnership, Call 2 (Horizon Europe co-funded European partnership).

Project duration: 2 March 2026 – 28 February 2029 (36 months).