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The EU CAP Network cross-visit ‘Production of protein crops under climate change’ took place 18-19 June 2026 in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary.
The final agenda is available below.
Protein crops have always attracted interest due to their contributions to food quality, soil health and, most importantly, animal nutrition. An additional challenge must now be addressed: climate change. In this context, protein crops are particularly relevant because of their inherent resilience to climatic stresses and their potential to significantly reduce the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilisers by fixing atmospheric nitrogen in the soil. Although their expansion is constrained by economic and agronomic limitations, their added value is increasing in both industrial value chains and short, farm-based markets, driven by evolving consumer lifestyles. Moreover, protein crops can play a key role in mixed cropping systems where they help tackle soil-borne diseases and pests, thus reducing the need for pesticides and improving soil water retention, strengthening both environmental benefits and climate resilience.
There are many EIP-AGRI OG projects working on topics linked to protein crops and climate change. These projects develop a wide range of solutions, from local protein production and regional supply chains to reduce import dependency, to agronomic innovations like legume-based rotations, mixed cropping systems and optimised input management aimed at adapting to drought and heat stress. Many initiatives focus on improving soil health, water retention and crop associations. Market development for local food/feed responds to new consumer lifestyles, supported by knowledge exchange among farmers and other stakeholders.
Find out more on the cross-visits homepage.
For any questions, please contact crossvisit.innovation@eucapnetwork.eu.
Programme
Final agenda - EU CAP Network cross-visit 'Protein crops' - update 9 June 2026
(PDF – 269.61 KB)
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EU CAP Network
EU CAP Network
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Support Facility for Innovation & Knowledge exchange | EIP-AGRI
EU CAP Network
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