Good Practice - Project
CONSOLO – CONservation of SOIL
A CAP technical assistance-funded project promoted conservation agriculture (CA) in Portugal by improving knowledge transfer and supporting the transition to more sustainable soil management.
General information
RDP Measure
- M20: Technical assistance
Beneficiary type
- Non-profit organisation
Summary
The CONSOLO – CONservation of SOIL project was implemented in Portugal to strengthen CA knowledge transfer and capacity building, improving the dissemination and practical understanding of sustainable soil management practices among farmers and rural stakeholders.
Led by the non‑profit organisation APOSOLO (Associação Portuguesa de Mobilização de Conservação do Solo), the project brought together agricultural actors, technical experts and researchers, using participatory approaches to encourage dialogue and informed adoption of conservation agriculture.
Key actions included structured knowledge‑sharing activities, farmer testimonies, exchanges with soil specialists and the development of digital and technical dissemination tools. A dedicated microsite and a set of support materials were created to ensure continued access to project outputs and to assist farmers interested in transitioning from conventional to conservation‑based practices.
Results
- The CONSOLO project strengthened knowledge transfer on CA, engaging nearly 180 participants through focus groups, conferences and a technical exchange visit, while its digital materials reached thousands more through newsletters, social media and professional networks.
- It also enhanced awareness of sustainable soil management, supported the dissemination of good practices and is expected to generate continued impact through the ongoing use of its digital resources.
Promoter
APOSOLO - Portuguese Association for Soil Conservation Tillage
Funding
Total budget: 37 761.90 (EUR)
EAFRD: 29 831.90 (EUR)
National/Regional: 7 930.00 (EUR)
Resources
Context
There was a clear need to strengthen the transfer, systematisation, and dissemination of technical and scientific knowledge on CA, tailored to different production systems and to Portuguese soil and climate conditions. In particular, greater effort was required to promote soil protection and conservation practices through targeted actions that effectively engage a wide range of agricultural stakeholders. Although relevant knowledge already existed, there was a clear need for structured mechanisms that could make this information easier to interpret and apply in practice. For this reason, the project prioritised creating spaces for dialogue, knowledge exchange and practical demonstration, bringing together farmers, technicians, researchers and other entities through participatory approaches and technical materials tailored to the national context.
Aligned with the Portuguese Innovation Agenda for Agriculture 2020–2030, CONSOLO contributed to national goals related to climate change adaptation, sustainable agricultural systems and the valorisation of rural territories by promoting more sustainable soil management practices.
Objectives
The CONSOLO project promoted the dissemination and uptake of CA by strengthening knowledge transfer and capacity building among rural development actors. It sought to enhance cooperation and active participation among stakeholders in rural areas, supporting the exchange of good practices and the adoption of new knowledge. The project also aimed to contribute to the effective implementation of rural development policy measures related to soil management, helping to inform decision‑making and improve the environmental sustainability of agricultural systems.
Activities
Action 1 – Focus groups. Two thematic focus groups were organised: one on the adoption of CA in permanent crops and another on CA in annual crops. Participants included farmers, producer organisations, sector associations, consultants, researchers, public bodies and companies supplying goods and services. The sessions focused on discussing the benefits, constraints and practical experiences associated with adopting CA practices.
Action 2 – CA conferences. Two technical conferences were held: ‘Conservation Agriculture: Practices and Benefits’ and ‘Conservation Agriculture – Expedited Soil Evaluation and Experimental Projects’. These events brought together farmers, associations, consultants, researchers, public entities and companies, providing a platform for technical presentations, knowledge exchange and discussion on CA.
Action 3 – Technical trip for exchange and networking. A technical exchange and networking trip was organised to the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in France, enabling participants to share experiences and learn about CA practices. The programme included visits to the ARVALIS technical institute – Institut du végétal (Gréoux experimental research station), exchanges with local farmers on their practices and challenges, and participation in MED’Agri, the Mediterranean agriculture fair in Avignon.
Action 4 – Digital material for wider dissemination. A set of digital dissemination materials was developed, including:
- a microsite hosted on the beneficiary’s website, presenting project activities and offering a database of CA experimentation projects through technical data sheets and innovative articles;
- an institutional video featuring testimonials from producers and technicians on the adoption of CA practices;
- two animations, one on CA practices and another on soil threats in Portugal; and
- six digital newsletters to support broad dissemination of the CONSOLO project.
Action 5 – Systematisation and dissemination of technical and scientific information. Several dissemination and support materials were produced, including:
- two roll‑ups on soil cover and expedited soil evaluation, with visual soil assessment indicators and stages;
- printed leaflets for the two technical conferences, containing programmes, speaker notes and key discussion points (165 copies); and
- three technical publications on: groundcovers and inter‑row cover crops in permanent crops; permanent and temporary pastures (including under forest cover); and equipment used in CA for annual crops.
Main results
- The CONSOLO project successfully disseminated structured technical information on CA and strengthened the capacity of agricultural and forestry stakeholders. A total of 96 participants took part in the two focus groups (90 in person and six online), while 83 participants attended the two technical conferences. The technical exchange visit enabled direct engagement with three farmers and the ARVALIS Technical Institute, including visits to experimental fields and participation in a specialised conference at MED’Agri.
- Beyond direct participation, the project achieved substantial indirect outreach through digital dissemination. The project’s animations and institutional video were shared during events and across professional networks, including sector‑specific WhatsApp groups with around 1 155 members. Six digital newsletters were distributed to 1 531 contacts in the beneficiary’s database. Additional materials, such as newsletters and video recordings of conferences and focus groups, were disseminated via social media, reaching more than 2 400 followers across Facebook, LinkedIn and Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) networks.
- Overall, CONSOLO strengthened knowledge exchange and awareness of CA practices, supported the dissemination of good soil management practices and increased engagement among rural development actors. The digital materials produced are expected to continue generating impact over time, supporting ongoing dissemination and the replication of promoted practices in other contexts.
Key lessons
The implementation of the CONSOLO project highlighted a number of practical lessons related to stakeholder engagement, knowledge transfer and the development of technical dissemination materials:
- When transferring this example, several practical factors should be taken into account. Focus groups and conferences should be scheduled at times of the year that do not conflict with peak agricultural work, in order to ensure farmers’ participation. Whenever possible, events should be organised in locations close to participants, and online participation options can be considered to increase accessibility. In focus groups, the selection of moderators is particularly important to ensure effective discussion and clear synthesis of conclusions.
- The development of digital animations highlighted the need for careful simplification of technical concepts without compromising accuracy. This process required close collaboration between technical experts and design and IT teams, as well as a strong understanding of agricultural realities to ensure the relevance and clarity of the final products.
- The preparation of roll-ups and technical publications required extensive collection and compilation of information from diverse sources, including scientific and technical publications, presentations and online resources. Particular attention was needed to validate the relevance, updating and suitability of the information to national soil and climate conditions. In some cases, consultation with subject-matter experts proved essential to clarify technical aspects and ensure the quality and credibility of the content produced.