Agricultural Residue Valorisation for Tomato Cultivation
This value chain valorises agricultural residues, especially fava bean plant wastes and legume by-products, for tomato cultivation and soil improvement.
Pilot 1 also includes a circular agriculture value chain where agricultural residues are reused directly within the cultivation system. The focus is on fava bean plant residues and related legume by-products, which can support tomato cultivation through soil improvement, green-manure use and the stimulation of natural microbial populations already present in the soil and roots.
The approach was refined during the pilot preparation phase to reduce operational costs and to favour a more direct, closed-loop reuse model. Instead of depending on expensive initial processing of bio-stimulants, the value chain emphasises on-site reuse and practical integration into cultivation practices.
The value chain is expected to reduce agricultural residue disposal, support soil fertility, reduce dependence on external agricultural inputs and improve the circular use of local biomass.
The pilot documentation also notes that the methodology was adjusted towards direct reuse and green-manure incorporation to keep the process economically viable.