OG ASH4SOIL. Productive Improvement of Soils, Agricultural Crops, and Forest Plantations Using an Amendment Obtained from the Valorization of Biomass Ashes 

Ash4Soil is a supra-regional Operational Group aiming to improve the fertility of acidic soils and increase productivity in forest plantations and agricultural crops through the development and use of an amendment-fertilizer material called Ash4Soil. This product is derived from by-products of forest and livestock origin. The project promotes the circular economy through the valorization of by-products and supports the bioeconomy by proposing a business model based on the reuse of organic-origin by-products. 

The project will evaluate the benefits of using the Ash4Soil amendment-fertilizer—made from ashes derived from burning forest by-products—on acidic soils, as well as its effect on crop productivity when combined with a high-quality nitrogen fertilizer produced from manure obtained from livestock farms in Galicia, Extremadura, and Castilla y León. 

Ash4Soil’s main objective is to improve the health of acidic soils by increasing agricultural and forestry productivity through the use of an amendment-fertilizer made from ashes and manure from cattle, pigs, and poultry. Specifically, the project aims to address: 

• The formulation of an amendment-fertilizer for acidic soils using by-products from livestock farms (manure and poultry litter) and by-products from the forestry industry (biomass ashes). 

• Reduction of synthetic input use and the carbon footprint of all sectors involved. 

• Evaluation of the Ash4Soil amendment-fertilizer from productive, environmental, and social perspectives, and validation by the end users of the product. 

• Promotion of circular economy and sustainability in agricultural and forestry activities by improving productivity, reducing synthetic inputs, valorizing by-products, and recycling nutrients. 

Expected results of the Ash4Soil project: 

– Formulation and development of the Ash4Soil amendment-fertilizer product. 

– Improvement of soil pH in acidic soils. 

– Improvement of agricultural and forestry productivity. 

– Validation of the Ash4Soil product by key stakeholders. 

– Preparation of the new product for commercialization. 

Consult the project information brochure in: Spanish / English 

Check the project activities in: Spanish / English 

Operational Groups, the main actors in implementing the EIP-Agri (European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability), are a key tool in executing the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan (CAP SP) 2023-2027, promoting innovation in the agri-food and forestry sectors within Europe. These groups bring together agents with different profiles but shared interests—such as farmers, livestock breeders, companies, research centers, and training and outreach institutions—who join forces to launch an innovation project aimed at providing a joint and multisectoral response to a specific problem or need. 

This innovation project is part of the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan (CAP SP) 2023-2027, funded 80% by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) of the European Union and 20% by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA). The Directorate General for Rural Development, Innovation and Agri-food Training (DGDRIFA) is the authority responsible for administering these funds.
Total project budget: €600,000.00 | Total grant: €575,700.36