Introduction to the challenge addressed
The Monte de Santo Isidro farm is located in the municipality of Benavente, near the city of Lisbon and the Tagus estuary. It has an area of 475 hectares in the Special Protection Zone of the Tagus Estuary Nature Reserve, with a significant area of cork oak forest, which gives it a balanced character and influences the agricultural production and biodiversity that exists on the farm.
The main activities are the production of corn, wheat, barley and peas. In animal production the farm has a suckler cow herd and also has a herd of purebred Lusitano horses. This farm has been in the family for six generations and it has always been their goal to be economically and environmentally efficient.
Description of Good Practice
In addition to the infrastructures that already existed on the farm and were maintained, such as some woods and smaller areas of bush, other infrastructures were also installed with the support of project funding from the Portuguese Environmental Fund and a program of the National Rural Network. The projects "SEGUNDA VIA" (https://www.segundaviafa.com) and "BPA.Eco" (https://www.bpaeco.com) supported the implementation of the following actions:
- Identify any structures that existed on the farm that could have a beneficial effect on biodiversity and the environment.
- Install nest boxes for bats and insectivorous birds in the surroundings of irrigation pivots.
Nest boxes for bats on the left and for small birds on the right. They should be placed facing east and between 3/5 meters high.
Nest box for bats.
- Installation of an ecological corridor along the Sorraia river bank, with the planting of trees and bushes.
- Installing a line for pollinators with Syngenta’s Operation Pollinator seed mixes.
Impact on farm performance
The impact on farm performance has the main aspects:
- Natural control to pests and diseases harmful to crops;
- Greater activity of pollinating agents;
- Avoid soil erosion on the Sorraia river bank;
- Promote biodiversity on the farm.
So far there is not enough data to conclude that the bat and bird population has increased on the farm. However, the farmer has recorded more observations of these animals on the farm than he saw before the implementation of the project actions.
Regarding the pollinators, the collaboration of researchers from the Science Faculty of the University of Lisbon, Carla Rego and Tatiana Moreira, concluded that the implementation of the planned actions led to an increase in the pollinator population in quantity and diversity.
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Another impact, equally or more important, is the fact that Monte de Santo Isidro serves as an example and motivation to other farmers, in the implementation of good agricultural practices useful to biodiversity and the environment.
Audio-visual material
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Farmer comment
Farming in a more sustainable way has a positive impact on the environment and on biodiversity, which allows us to leave future generations the possibility of continuing to be farmers.
Further information
https://www.segundaviafa.com/post/2%C2%BA-dia-de-campo-bpa-eco-segunda-via
https://www.syngenta.com/en/sustainability/operation-pollinator
https://youtu.be/uUTDiClQBY4 Favas Contadas #150