Increase Legume Production and Improve Soil Health

The Protéi'Sol project aims to enhance legume cultivation in Hauts-de-France by addressing agronomic and economic barriers. Legumes offer multiple benefits, including nitrogen fixation, improved soil structure, and reduced fertilizer dependence, yet their production has declined due to technical challenges and yield instability. The project focuses on supporting farmers in adopting sustainable crop rotations incorporating legumes, ultimately reducing reliance on imported soy and increasing regional protein self-sufficiency. By leveraging existing expertise within the NORIAP cooperative and research from Terres Inovia, the project provides practical solutions to help farmers optimize their legume production while maintaining economic viability.

Environmental Impact and Climate Resilience

The Hauts-de-France region is experiencing increasing climate pressures, including droughts, floods, and soil degradation. The Protéi'Sol project contributes to climate resilience by promoting regenerative agricultural practices that enhance soil health, improve water retention, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The cultivation of legumes plays a crucial role in building organic matter and biodiversity, while also reducing dependency on synthetic fertilizers, which are major contributors to carbon emissions. By enabling farmers to shift toward more resilient cropping systems, the project supports long-term environmental sustainability while ensuring that local farms can withstand climate shocks.

Farmer and Technician Training for Sustainable Practices

To ensure the successful integration of legumes into regional farming systems, 30 farmers and 6 NORIAP technicians will receive specialized training through Terres Inovia’s Cap Agronomie® program. This initiative is designed to equip participants with the technical knowledge and decision-making tools needed to manage legume crops efficiently. Training sessions will cover topics such as crop selection, soil fertility management, pest control, and economic optimization. Technicians will act as local advisors, supporting farmers throughout the process and ensuring that knowledge is transferred beyond the initial group of participants. This train-the-trainer approach ensures long-term impact and scalability, strengthening the local agricultural network.

Market Integration and Strengthening Local Supply Chains

A major challenge for expanding legume production is the lack of stable market opportunities and competitive pricing compared to imported soy. To address this, Protéi'Sol works with Novial (NORIAP’s feed manufacturing subsidiary) and industrial partners such as Nestlé-Purina to integrate locally grown legumes into animal feed and pet food. The project also engages Lidl France and Auchan to explore new commercial opportunities for protein-rich crops within their supply chains. By securing long-term market commitments and fostering multi-stakeholder agreements, the project helps ensure that farmers have consistent demand and fair pricing, making local protein crop production a viable economic choice.

Knowledge Sharing and Expansion to Other Regions

Beyond direct implementation, Protéi'Sol is designed to scale impact by capturing data, best practices, and economic models that can be replicated across other regions. The project includes a robust impact assessment component, measuring technical, economic, and environmental outcomes to build a business case for legume adoption. Insights gained from this initiative will be shared through farmer networks, industry roundtables, and regional policy discussions, enabling further adoption in regions like Normandy and Grand Est. By fostering collaboration across supply chain actors and policy stakeholders, the project aims to drive a systemic shift toward sustainable, locally sourced protein production in France.