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
Legume-cereal intercropping in practice: Insights from a regenerative farm in the UK
Second-generation farmer Dougal Hosford shares how intercropping and regenerative farming are helping improve soil health, reduce inputs, and build more resilient farming systems on his farm in the UK.
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Summer school on modelling intercropping systems in Vienna, Austria: Applications open
Applications are open for the LEGUMINOSE summer school on modelling intercropping systems, taking place in Vienna, Austria in July 2026.
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Summer school on soil health and intercropping in Florence, Italy: Applications open
Applications are open for the LEGUMINOSE summer school on soil health and intercropping, taking place in Florence, Italy in May 2026.
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How food and drink companies support regenerative farming
Major food and drink companies are increasingly turning to regenerative agriculture to cut emissions, improve soil health and strengthen resilient supply chains. From Nestlé to Weetabix and Carlsberg, industry leaders
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Listening to the soil and the farmers: Shamina Imran Pathan on intercropping and soil biodiversity
How does intercropping affect the soil? LEGUMINOSE coordinator Shamina Imran Pathan shares insights on soil microbial life.
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Intercropping in semiarid environments: Lessons from the iCROP field experiment in Spain
How does legume–cereal intercropping in semiarid environments influence soil nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas emissions, and crop performance? In this interview, researchers from Spain share insights from the iCROP field experiment,
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Intercropping in the Czech Republic: Building trust, analysing data, and weathering the seasons
Faced with shifting seasons and massive datasets, Petra Hanáková Bečvářová reflects on what it takes to make intercropping work in the Czech Republic.
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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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