Title: Expert system for monitoring risks in agriculture and agricultural technologies conservative adaptation to climate change
Acronym: MODSOIL
Partners:
- CO: University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj Napoca
- P1: Research Station - Turda Agricultural Development (SCDA Turda)
- P2: University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Bucharest
- P3: SC Nora Ly Agroserv SRL Viisoara, Cluj County
- P4: SC Holisun SRL Baia Mare
Description
The project aims to implement a system of sustainable agriculture and efficient in economic terms, adapted to climate change through a system of monitoring soil and climate expert in Transylvania Depression. The expected effects emphasize the agricultural system management, conservation and sustainable use of soil and water resources in the context of global climate change through the implementation of new agricultural technologies, efficient, conservative and tailored local pedo-climatic conditions.
Applied research realized within the project is based on the present situation in agriculture in the Transylvanian Depression, where due to inadequate job of arable land systems, there was a series of concerns regarding: soil fertility, quantity and quality of yields obtained, climate change quality landscape and environment. Obtaining top scientific and technological results, globally competitive by proposing the project team, a member of the European Platform "Modelling with European Climate Change Agriculture for Food Security" (MACSUR: http://www.macsur.eu) by international involvement, is the most appropriate way to combat climate anomalies, adapting to the phenomenon of desertification, carbon sequestration in soils and efficient agricultural system.
The project emphasizes the value of research findings of Research Center for Sustainable Agricultural Systems and Technologies Minimum (SMTAD) and those of an Agreement for cooperation with the Louisiana State University (USA). The research program started in 2008, it is the first work, at large scale, for monitoring the soil temperature and water regimes (temperature, humidity, rainfall) in the Transylvanian Plain, by 20 micro stations, which is a premiere for Romanian science. Through this research there were completed two doctoral theses (in the US and Romania). 2 other doctoral themes are realized, being based on this research program and five national and international research projects were submitted.
Based on these results from fundamental research, the project aim is to have an original product - an expert system (functional model) monitoring and forecasting in real time climate risk (by the upgrading of 20 existing stations and install another 10 stations in Somes Plateau ), considering the weather forecast, able to predict climate anomalies periods for different crops. To warn farmers and provide a correct prediction of the need to combat climate risks, the program will be adapted based on applied research undertaken with conservative technology and adaptation specific measures, within an agricultural company representative for this area.
The project will be completed by patenting 3rd conservative agricultural technologies as viable alternatives, effective and realistic system of conventional farming, currently practiced. Developing and patenting their modeling is done by an expert system (functional model) risk monitoring.
The project ensure farmers' access to sustainable agricultural technologies (efficient and conservative) suitable to pedo-climatic and socio-economic conditions in Transylvania Depression, complying with the measures recommended by the EU to adapt to climate change: assessing the quality of land and audit specialist to optimize the applied technology ; conservative technology implementation; experimental development and patenting of at least 3 conservative technologies and 1 expert risk monitoring system. The project has a major socio-economic impact, involving two universities, one research station, one agricultural society, one private company research - anchored in a strong international network of research and development.