MAPA-AEACSV Pact for Conservation Agriculture

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAPA) and the Spanish Association for Conservation Agriculture and Living Soils (AEACSV) have signed a collaboration agreement to develop a joint training program on conservation agriculture practices, in line with the eco-schemes related to carbon farming.

To further explore the scope of this agreement, a meeting was held on November 8 at the Ministry’s headquarters between the Secretary-General for Agriculture and Food, Fernando Miranda, and representatives of AEACSV.

The collaboration will focus on the development of both theoretical and practical training activities, available in both in-person and online formats, covering conservation agriculture techniques applied to herbaceous and woody crops within the framework of the "green architecture" of the 2023-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The goal is to provide targeted training and outreach to the sector to enhance technical and applied knowledge of carbon farming practices, such as direct seeding and cover crop management in woody crops, within the eco-schemes.

Additionally, the agreement includes the creation of a scientific-technical information repository on conservation agriculture, designed for students.

Signing agreements like this is one of the Ministry’s usual ways of collaborating with institutions and sectoral organizations. In this case, the academic and practical approach of AEACSV’s work is considered key to properly disseminating conservation agriculture techniques, which are supported by the design of the CAP Strategic Plan, now concluding its first year of implementation.

First Training Activities

The first training activities under this agreement will take place throughout November.

On November 21 at 5:00 p.m., a webinar on cover crops in woody crops will be held. This session will introduce conservation agriculture practices while also addressing the requirements outlined in the cover crop measures included in the eco-schemes.

Additionally, on November 30, a field workshop on vineyard cover crops will take place at La Plana de Vico estate, located in the municipality of Arnedo (La Rioja). This event will provide a hands-on approach through various thematic stations set up across the estate, covering essential aspects of vineyard cover crop implementation and management, as well as their environmental benefits.

All details about the agreement, the planned training activities, their dates, and registration information can be found at www.portalformativoac.es.