Design and ex ante evaluation of innovative cropping systems to improve soil function in organic farming

Organic agricultural production is set to face growing demand whilst ensuring respect for the environment. In this context, it is essential to develop practices that promote the biological functioning of soils. Reducing mechanical disturbance of the soil and maintaining ground cover are two promising approaches. To adapt these new combinations of practices within organic farming, it is necessary to rethink cropping systems as a whole. We present a method to support farmers in designing prototypes of cropping systems that promote the biological functioning of soils. The method comprises eight stages involving three design workshops (from conceptualisation to contextualisation). It was implemented with two groups of farmers in Auvergne and Rhône-Alpes. Twenty-eight prototypes were designed. Only the most successful prototypes are analysed here. They differ from current systems in that they make four times greater use of cover crops and involve ploughing eight times less frequently. The diversity of the stakeholders’ knowledge and the methodological support encouraged the farmers’ creativity and fostered their adoption of the innovations. Field trials are now required to assess the performance of these innovative systems.