Boosting Organic Fertilizer Use
Enhancing the effectiveness of nutrient recycling is essential for building resilience in the food system and advancing sustainable food production.
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Time for a Shift in Fertilizing Thinking
The adoption of recycled nutrients remains relatively low, even though side streams from agriculture, livestock, and municipal sectors could replace a substantial share of synthetic mineral fertilizers. This is mainly due to barriers such as a more demanding fertilization process, contentious price competitiveness, inconsistent composition of recycled nutrients, varying local availability, logistical challenges, and complex support schemes under increasing regulatory pressure. As a result, organic fertilizers are mostly used for soil conditioning rather than as primary nutrient sources. Nonetheless, recycled fertilizers are rich in essential nutrients and most often contain carbon, which is an important factor for soil quality— offering apparent advantages over fossil-based fertilizers. |
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Mathematical Optimization as a Tool
To tackle this challenge, a digital tool has been developed. It makes the use of recycled nutrients easier, both for fertilization and for improving soil quality. The tool calculates field-specific fertilization requirements based on soil samples and the cultivated crop. It then matches these requirements with available supplies from local recycled nutrient producers, while ensuring compliance with EU and national regulations, such as the Nitrates Directive and phosphorus application limits. It also accounts for logistical and application cost-efficiency — a key aspect of agricultural operations. As a result, organic fertilizers become a more attractive and viable solution. |
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Benefits and Impact
The optimization tool acts as a bridge between farmers, organic fertilizer producers, and agricultural advisors, enabling data-driven, informed decision-making. By facilitating a new ecosystem, it empowers farmers and fertilizer providers to implement cost-effective fertilization practices that enhance long-term soil quality. At the same time, it opens new markets for organic fertilizer producers and drives demand for their products. Additionally, it offers new business opportunities for logistic companies, who play a key role in the transportation and application of organic fertilizers. This approach introduces a method that makes the use of recycled fertilizers more efficient — a change that will be essential in the near future. |
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Accelerating Circular Agriculture in EIT Food Test Farms program
3E Energy is part of EIT Food Test Farms 2025 program.The project of 3E Energy aims to boost the use of recycled nutrients and strengthen sustainable agricultural practices by providing new means for coordinating their production and use. It connects farmers and agricultural advisors to generate more practical test results, while enhancing visibility and impact through targeted marketing activities. Overall, the development activity accelerates nutrient cycling to replace fossil-based fertilizers, increases carbon sequestration in soils, and enhances agricultural sustainability through circular economy solutions. By improving the profitability of sustainably managed farms and creating new business opportunities for organic fertilizer producers, the project contributes to building a regenerative nutrient system. |