In December 2020, the LEADER Local Action Group LËTZEBUERG WEST from Luxembourg and LEADER LAG PH from Sweden agreed to carry out together a trans-national LEADER project, called “Innovation in small-scale agriculture and gardening”.

The project aims to support European smallholders and market gardeners in their efforts to maintain sustainable food production and to study the social impact and technological feasibility of modern horse-powered agriculture.

Behind the idea for the project is the European network SCHAFF MAT PÄERD, a non-governmental organization from Luxembourg, with HÄLDE HÄSTKRAFT, a full-time horse entrepreneur from Sweden, as the main partner.

The aim of the project is to:

(a) developing, manufacturing and testing equipment for small-scale farming and horticulture;
b) public outreach with field days and open access publication of findings.

The horse-drawn machines will be selected and co-engineered with horse entrepreneurs, farmers and gardeners in so-called field laboratories. The main objectives are as follows:

a) optimising animal-powered tillage for regenerative farming.
b) managing on-farm nutrients under various pedo-climatic conditions.
c) improving the eco-balance by using completely renewable energy sources.
d) restoring of agrarian landscapes to reach Sustainable Development Goals.

The project will end in December 2024

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Link: Horsepower