S13 - Session P2 - RUSTICA : Biofertilisers made of fruits and vegetables waste

Authors: Laura Perez *

The Chamber of Agriculture of Pays de la Loire is the french partner of H2020 project RUSTICA and works as a pilot site to experiment on crops fields and disseminate innovative bio-based fertilisers promoted the project through innovative technologies.With the idea of studying the technical and economic feasibility of bio-based fertilisers' production, the European project RUSTICA opens new markets and new perspectives of valorisation of fruits and vegetables wastes for farmers. The main objective of the project is to transform this waste into highly added value products. This could be helpful for farmers to diversify their activities and enhance their waste for selling to other farmers, companies or cooperatives. Farmers could be integrated in a circular economy with benefits for all Likewise, bio-based fertilisers from technologies tested in RUSTICA aim to be efficient and to become an alternative. It could be a great opportunity for organic farmers of the region who generally use compost and manures. It could be also very attractive for conventional farmers reducing minerals fertilisers, which can damage water and soil quality through years.