WHEATWATCHER: Project aims to enhance soil health monitoring

By Aisling O'Brien

A European initiative aiming to revolutionise soil health monitoring and sustainable agriculture has been officially launched.

The WHEATWATCHER project, funded by the EU Horizon Europe programme, brings together a consortium of universities, research centres, and industry partners from across Europe.

The team said that European soils are under increasing pressure, as a result of agricultural intensification and climate change.

The European Commission previously estimated that between 60 to 70% of soils in the EU are not healthy.

Through this project it is hoped that there will be a renewed focus on restoring soil health at EU, national and local level.

Soil health

The WHEATWATCHER project will implement innovative soil monitoring technologies to provide real-time data, enabling farmers to make informed decisions.

It also will deploy and validate predictive models that integrate local soil conditions and wheat farming requirements.

Another focus will be on collaboration with stakeholders, including farmers, policymakers, and research institutions, to support the implementation of sustainable practices.

The project recently kicked off with a two-day meeting at Ghent University, allowing the consortium to come together to establish a clear strategic vision for the project.

Representatives from each partner organisation, including experts from 9 countries, participated in discussions to set the foundation for the project’s work.

The meeting outlined the main objectives and expected outcomes, focusing on monitoring and improving soil health, as well as promoting sustainable farming practices.

The group developed a framework for deploying state-of-the-art technology, including soil sensors, robotic platforms and decision support systems, across pilot sites on farms in Greece, Poland, Germany, and Belgium.

They also discussed collaborative activities aimed at maximising the project’s impact, and fostering synergies with other Horizon Europe projects.

″We are excited to embark on this journey with our partners, leveraging cutting-edge technology and collaborative expertise to address the critical challenges facing European agriculture,″ Abdul Mouazen, Ghent University professor and co-ordinator of WHEATWATCHER, said.

″The kick-off meeting has set the stage for a productive and impactful project,″ he added.

The first results are expected to be shared in mid-2025, demonstrating the potential to enhance agricultural sustainability and resilience across Europe.