EIP OK EKO
Conservation Agriculture System for Organic Production without Herbicides
Basic information
Project
Intervention
Duration
Lead partner
Partners
Co-financing amount
Conservation Agriculture System for Organic Production without Herbicides
IRP31 – Support for EIP projects
24 April 2025 – 24 April 2028
Slovenian Association for Conservation Agriculture (SZOK)
12 project partners
€299,967.20
About the project
The project Conservation Agriculture System for Organic Production without Herbicides is implemented within the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability. It addresses one of the key challenges facing modern organic farming: effective weed control without herbicides and without intensive tillage.
The project combines the principles of organic and conservation agriculture and seeks practical solutions that improve soil health, reduce erosion, enhance biodiversity, support adaptation to climate change and reduce dependence on plant protection products.
The partnership brings together twelve organisations and farms from across Slovenia to jointly develop, test and evaluate innovative approaches to sustainable soil management in organic production.
Main project objectives
The project focuses on:
• developing and improving weed-control techniques that do not rely on herbicides
• reducing dependence on plant protection products
• improving soil quality and fertility
• increasing biodiversity on agricultural land
• strengthening farm resilience to climate change
• increasing the productivity and sustainability of organic production
• improving knowledge exchange between farmers, advisers and researchers
Project activities
The project also includes:
• surveying weed species at different locations
• soil analyses and monitoring of soil properties
• developing protocols for monitoring and evaluating results
• preparing digital tools to support field trials
• organising workshops, lectures and professional study tours
• producing manuals, multimedia content and other knowledge-transfer materials
Activities to date
During the first year of the project, professional training sessions were organised for project partners. All participating farms were visited to survey their production systems, record available machinery and analyse existing weed-control practices.
Soil samples were collected from the selected trial fields for laboratory analysis, and baseline soil measurements were carried out. The results show differences in soil composition and nutrient status, providing an important basis for developing protocols and implementing the next stages of the field trials.
Expected results
The project will contribute to:
• developing new and improved herbicide-free weed-control practices
• reducing the negative impacts of agriculture on soil and water
• increasing soil fertility and biological activity
• improving the economic performance of organic production
• wider adoption of conservation agriculture in Slovenia
• better access to professional knowledge and practical solutions for farmers
SZOK’s role
The Slovenian Association for Conservation Agriculture (SZOK) is the lead partner and is responsible for coordinating project activities, connecting partners, organising training and demonstration events, and disseminating project results among Slovenian farmers, advisers and other stakeholders.
The project is an important step in developing and adapting conservation agriculture to the conditions of organic production in Slovenia.
Project partners
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Slovenian Association for Conservation Agriculture (lead partner)
• Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia – Maribor Institute
• Biotechnical Centre Naklo
• ŽIPO Lenart d.o.o.
• Vasja Majerič Farm
• Štefan Urbanč Farm
• Kumer 1687 d.o.o.
• Škorjanc Organic Farm
• Žnideršič Organic Farm
• Jaka Kastelic Farm
• Zorica Rengeo Farm
• Izobraževanje Tamara Urbančič s.p.
More information
🌐 Common Agricultural Policy 2023–2027
🌐 Rural Development Programme and EIP projects
