Growing of perennial and non-perennial crops
Description
This activity covers practices dedicated to the production of perennial and non-perennial crops, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. The eligibility of green investments in this sector shall be based on the transition to circularity and regenerative agricultural practices. Key focuses include reducing input dependency, improving nutrient cycling, optimizing water use, and promoting soil health through sustainable and circular practices.
Activity scope
The sustainable practices, associated eligible assets and projects are under the following scope: inputs, capital goods, crop-based transformation processes agricultural or forestry-related outputs waste management activities primary processing or storage before the point of sale
The following are not under the scope of the activity and criteria: supply chain activities related to the production or supply of inputs purchased by farms the processing or distribution of agricultural products post the farmgate or after the first point of sale packaging or handling of agricultural products wholesale or retail.
PSIC/ISIC code
A011 - Growing of non-perennial crops A012 - Growing of perennial crops
Technical Screening Criteria
Substantial contribution criteria
The activity complies with either one of the following criteria: 1. Has obtained certification at a national or international level that is aligned with internationally recognised standards. 2. Provides an IFMP which demonstrates ongoing adoption of all the applicable basic, intermediate and advanced practices, or as many as feasible.
Basic practices • Reduce replanting and stand failures through appropriate varietal choice, seed/seedling quality control, correct planting density and timing. • Implement basic soil cover and erosion prevention measures where relevant (e.g. buffer strips, contouring/bunds, ground cover). • Preferably use organic fertilisers, if available locally. • Monitor soil fertility and crop nutritional status based on local conditions.
Intermediate practices • Use structured irrigation scheduling informed by crop stage and monitoring (soil moisture, ET, or equivalent). • Optimisation of farm residue uses that avoids combustion/degradation and promotes circularity. • Pyrolysis of agricultural residues to produce biochar.
Advanced practices • Data-driven, site-specific application (VRA, sensors, decision-support tools, satellite-based monitoring) reducing nutrient/water intensity. • A waste management plan covering waste reduction, pollution and recycling. • Implement an Integrated Farm Management System (IFMS).
Complementary measures and practices
Any of the eligible complementary measures below can be applied to support transition to circularity: 1. Production of fertiliser and biogas from animal manure and/or other organic waste or wastewater. 2. Water management measures, including rainwater harvesting/storage.
1. Ensuring segregated collection of waste, to enable recovery, recycling and reuse. 2. Extend equipment lifetime through maintenance/repair; refurbish and reuse equipment. 3. Upgrade electrical systems with renewable energy sources and energy-efficient systems. 4. Research, development and innovation (RDI) programs to enable circular design and production.
Complementary measures and practices
Crop production projects involving deforestation or conversion of natural ecosystems (including forests, wetlands, peatland and riparian areas), located outside the legally defined agricultural frontier or non-compliant with land-use zoning, protected areas, or linked to unresolved land-tenure conflicts or involuntary displacement, are ineligible.