RECSOIL implementation in France
Project overview
Phase VI – Implementation and Monitoring
| Number of participating farmers | Project area (hectares) | Annual SOC sequestration potential (tCO2e) |
| 478, with ongoing enrollment | 20 020 | 50 050 (conservative estimate) |
Project name: Soil Revitalization project in France
Region (municipality): all regions within metropolitan France
Target area for scaling up: France: an additional 20 000 hectares
Main crops: Durum wheat, maize, sugar beet, rapeseed, potato, soft wheat and barley. The project also includes plots with viticulture and orchard management.
| Soil threats addressed | SSM practices implemented |
| • Soil erosion • Soil compaction • SOC/soil organic matter loss |
A biostimulant for soil revitalization was applied: NUTRIGEOⓇL. It is a liquid product derived from organic and inorganic compounds and is classified as a soil conditioner. It accelerates the humifying micro-organisms and activates soil enzymes. NUTRIGEOⓇL has been designed to use several mechanisms to enhance C sequestration through increased fungal activity evidenced as higher C-use efficiency, production of stabilised C molecules by the fungi and increased soil aggregation by hyphae and glomalin production. |
| Number of samples taken | Cohort 1 and cohort 2: 2 546 samples taken over 1 273 sampling points for a SOC baseline assessment |
| Standard operating procedures (SOPs) used |
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The following training sessions are currently conducted:
- Gaïago has developed several training sessions dedicated to stakeholders directly or indirectly impacted by the project such as Gaïago’s own employees, farmers and retailers. It includes the following types of training:
- the University of Soils, hosted by Gaïago and dedicated to retailers and distributors; and
- the Fertility Clubs hosted by retailers and distributors (with the support of Gaïago) for farmers.
The project officially contributed to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 (Quality Education). The following indicator will be monitored throughout the project. A number of employees provided skill development training via the project. On average, 370 people should be trained every year over the 5-year crediting period of the project.
Co-benefits of the project:
- The reduction of soil compaction: NUTRIGEOⓇL accelerates the organic matter build-up in the soil. It improves soil structure which leads to more porosity, and a soil that is easier to drain and less compacted.
- The improvement of soil fertility and health: Prebiotics like NUTRIGEOⓇL lead to enhanced soil fertility via the modulation of microbial activity. NUTRIGEOⓇL application results in a significant increase in the activity of key enzymes such as laccase activity. This enzyme plays a key role in soil revitalization after intensive farming, helping to degrade a variety of organic compounds in the soil, including lignin, phenols, pesticides and other organic pollutants.