Sustainable agriculture through legume-cereal intercropping
The LEGUMINOSE project provides science-based, farmer-led, and economically viable systems and techniques for legume-based intercropping.
What is intercropping?
Legume-cereal intercropping is an agricultural technique where legume crops (such as beans or peas) are planted alongside cereal crops (such as wheat or barley) in the same field.
Why?
Intercropping provides multiple benefits for sustainable agriculture:
Improves soil health and resilience to stresses
Increases biodiversity
Maximizes land productivity
Reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers
Reduces the carbon footprint of arable farming
Bridging across disciplines and nation borders to provide innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture.
21 organizations from 10 countries
We bring together agronomists, soil microbiologists, plant biologists, geoscientists, computer scientists, policy and communication experts to tackle pressing issues in the agri-food sector and make the most of our land in a sustainable manner.
News and events
Intercropping in Pakistan: Wheat-pea success and chickpea setbacks
From living labs to student training and farmer outreach, Muhammad Riaz reflects on intercropping in Pakistan – and why flexibility is key to success.
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Intercropping in the UK: From research fields to on-farm living labs
From challenging weather to farmer-led trials, Tom Sizmur talks about intercropping in the UK – and what it takes to connect research with practice.
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Intercropping in Germany: From muddy fields to protein-rich harvests
What does intercropping in Germany look like on the ground? Andre Gohlke talks rain, harvest hacks, and why the mixed plots are showing real promise.
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Legume-cereal intercropping in practice: Lessons from a small organic farm in Italy
A farmer, a beekeeper, a believer in biodiversity: Virginia Ruspolini shows how intercropping works on her small organic farm in Umbria, Italy.
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Intercropping in Spain: Testing legume-cereal mixes in challenging conditions
What does intercropping in Spain look like in practice? David Erice from UPA shares insights on growing legume-cereal mixes under pressure.
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Intercropping summer school in Pakistan: Training the next generation in sustainable agriculture
The first LEGUMINOSE summer school brought over 50 students and researchers together in Pakistan to explore cereal-legume intercropping. Through expert lectures, field visits, and group work, participants gained practical skills
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What soil needs from us: Lessons from an European soil health conference
What happens when scientists come together to discuss the future of soil? In this recap from a leading European soil health conference, our coordinator Shamina shares her key takeaways —
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“Is it possible mix the ingredients in the field rather than in the kitchen?”: Tom Sizmur shares his vision for the future of agriculture
Tom Sizmur discusses legume-cereal intercropping benefits in the LEGUMINOSE project and how this approach makes agriculture more sustainable.
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