MEET US
EcoReadyMasuria Living Lab
EcoReadyMasuria Living Lab is a space for collaboration,
where farmers, scientists, and local communities join forces to co-create adaptive solutions for Masurian agriculture in the face of climate change.
Our goal is to:
- Build resilient food systems that can meet the challenges of the future.
- Implement sustainable practices that protect soil, water
and biodiversity.
- Adapt Masurian agriculture to new climatic realities by co-creating, modeling and testing adaptive solutions.
We want the solutions developed in EcoReadyMasuria to serve as an example and inspiration for other regions of Central and Eastern Europe, due to their simplicity, effectiveness
and the ability to easily adapt to local conditions.
Thanks to EcoReadyMasuria, Masuria is becoming one of the 10 European innovation centers in agriculture, emerging
as part ofthe pan-European Eco-Ready project..
Our mission and vision
Agricultural products
at the center of our attention
EcoReadyMasuria focuses on 5 key categories of agricultural products that are fundamental to the food system of Masuria, Poland, and Central and Eastern Europe:
Barley
Europe produces over 60% of the world's barley, which is used in brewing, animal feed, and food products such as groats and flakes. In Poland, in 2023, barley occupied 0.6 million hectares, yielding more than rye and oats. Due to its resistance to drought and climate change, barley is becoming a key crop for future food security.
Corn
Corn is a key crop in Central and Eastern Europe, including Poland, where its cultivation has increased from 0.2 million hectares in 2000 to 1.7 million hectares in 2021. In Masuria, it plays an important role as feed for dairy cows, supporting milk production. However, vulnerability to droughts requires urgent adaptive actions to meet climate challenges.
Red clover
Red clover is the most commonly cultivated perennial plant from the legume family in Poland and a leader among forage plants in Central and Eastern Europe. It fixes 150–200 kg of nitrogen per hectare, enriching the soil, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers, and preventing erosion. Rich in protein
and minerals, it improves the quality and yield of milk in dairy cows. Its significance is increasing in the context of reducing nitrogen fertilizer use in the EU by 20% by 2030.
Sunflower
Sunflower cultivation in Central and Eastern Europe is gaining significance due to its versatile benefits.
In Poland, the area under cultivation increased from 8,000 hectares in 2020 to over 60,000 hectares in 2022. Besides its economic value, sunflower supports biodiversity, attracts pollinators, and improves soil health. With its drought resistance, it is a sustainable choice that aligns with the goals of the EU Green Deal.
Milk
Milk plays a crucial role in the food system of Central and Eastern Europe due to its nutritional value and versatility. Milk production in Poland is closely linked to the quality of feed, such as corn and red clover, which affect the yield and quality of milk. To enhance food security and reduce water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, innovative solutions in feeding and managing dairy cattle are necessary.
MEET US
Agriculture partner
Mirosław Gontar Farm
Social partner
Local Action Group "Lider w EGO"
Scientific partner
University of Warsaw
Leader, Scientific Partner
RIC Pro-Akademia
Partners of the EcoReadyMasuria Living Lab are organizations representing various perspectives – from science, through local communities, to agricultural practice. Through collaboration, we combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience, creating comprehensive solutions for agriculture in Masuria and Central-Eastern Europe.
Our team
We are shaping the future of agriculture in Masuria by combining innovation with tradition for sustainable development
and food security
Our motivation
Meet the challenges we face
Agriculture in Masuria faces many challenges related to climate change, biodiversity protection, sustainable breeding management, and water security. At EcoReadyMasuria, we are working together with farmers and experts to find solutions that will meet these challenges. Learn more about the areas we are working on!
This subproject received funding from the ECO-READY project (grant agreement number 101084201) under an open call funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation program.