Alcarràs Bioproductors SAT - Farmers join forces and propel bioeconomy
Alcarràs Bioproductors SAT is an inspirational case for those searching advice on organisational and coordination aspects. 15 years ago, 200 farmers from the Spanish town of Alcarràs decided to join forces and create a composting plant in which treat the solid waste of their bovine and porcine cattle. All farmers agreed to invest €1,5M and have backed up the process through all difficulties. Today, the plant produces 27kT of compost and is run mainly on solar electricity and rainwater. Given the success, farmers plan to expand the company by adding an anaerobic digester to produce biogas from liquid manure. They also aim at including a pilot plant in which surrounding agents could try out their bioeconomy initiatives.
The implementation of this project cannot be understood without the social component. Previously existing cooperatives of bovine and porcine farmers were paramount to ensure trust, uniform opinions, and powerful acting will. As a united entity, farmers were more potent in asking for their demands. Treating all manures in the shared plant has put an end to previous individual costs (e.g.: transportation, renting a land for disposal, hiring a waste treatment company,...) and worries (e.g.: where to place the manure, what if the waste treatment company closes/rises its charges,...).
Practical recommendations to join forces:
- Talk regularly to primary producers in your area.
- Share your problems with each other: one can hold the answer to another's problem, or you can share a common problem.
- Create an association to raise awareness about the field and the problems, and to have more impact when searching solutions. Work on trusting your partners.
- Do not fear investing to solve a common problem. Think ahead.
MAINSTREAMing small-scale BIO-based solutions across rural Europe via regional Multi-actor Innovation Platforms and tailored innovation support
Completed | 2022-2025
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Bulgaria, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Greece, Belgium