The University of Cordoba team working on the European Diverfarming project have collected the runner-up award given by Diario Córdoba for their contribution to sustainable development

The second edition of the Diario Córdoba Awards for Sustainable Development sought to reward “Facts not words”. Under this banner, projects, entities or companies that fight climate change on a day-to-day basis and whose trajectory warrants recognition are rewarded.

The European Diverfarming project, financed by the European Commission in the H2020 call, has been awarded one of the runners-up prizes in this latest edition. The Diverfarming project is made up of 25 partners from eight European countries that seek - through crip diversification and sustainable farming practices - a change in the paradigm of European agriculture. In this way, they have trialled the best diversifications and farming practices in different case studies in each climate region to achieve environmental benefits, as well as ensuring the economic and environmental stability of the sector.

At the University of Cordoba, the researchers of the SUMAS group, Beatriz Lozano, Luis Parras, Manuel González and Jesús Aguilera have trialled crop diversifications in the olive groves, introducing crops such as saffron, lavender, or a mix of vetch and oats, combined with farming practices such as reducing tilling and fertiliser use with the idea of establishing the best combinations at agricultural, environmental and economic level. Professor Beatriz Lozano is also the coordinator of the South Mediterranean region of the project.

The research applied to the solution of problems such as those derived from the effects of climate change is what has on this occasion been rewarded by the recognition of the Diario Cordoba Awards for Sustainable Development. The award was presented to the UCO professors UCO Luis Parras and Beatriz Lozano at the awards ceremony.

The event was held in the Real Jardín Botánico de Córdoba, and five prizes were awarded as well as two runners-up prizes. The first prize was awarded to the company Cantueso Natural Seeds. In the category of institutions, the Nature Protection Service (Seprona) of the Civil Guard received the award, whilst the runner-up award went to the municipal company Sadeco, for its Reusemed project. With regard to associations, Ecovalia has been recognised; it is the Spanish professional association for ecological production. In the field of research, a prize has been awarded to Ifapa de Cabra and the runner up was the University of Cordoba for the European Diverfarming project. Finally, a special mention was given to Felipe Molina, who is in charge of Ganadería Las Albaidas. The jury have stressed his firm commitment to sustainable livestock rearing practices.

This recognition highlights the importance of the research work in the fight against climate change and the search for sustainability in the agricultural sector.