Evaluation of the sustainability of minor crops in Normandy region, France

Crop production in Normandy is highly specialized and based on a few crops (e.g. soft wheat, flax, rapeseed, sugar beet,..) which raises the question of agricultural sustainability. This issue is of great concerns when we consider protein autonomy issue at French and European levels. Thus, the development of alternative crops could help in the diversification of crop rotations andcontribute in the increase of the proportion of plant-based proteins. Because of their protein content, grain legumes, cereals and oilseeds would offer benefits for human health (Becerra-Tomás et al., 2017), the environment (Springmann et al., 2016), and global food security (Erb et al., 2016). Increasing the proportion of grain legumes in cultivated areas could reduce the current protein deficit and contribute to sustainable farming systems. PROVEG project aims to evaluate the potential of protein-rich crops that are absent or poorly established in Normandy region. The consortium includes two reserach partners (UniLaSalle and Normandy University) and three agricultural stakeholders (Natup, CerFrance and lycée agricole Yvetot) that represent key player in the local and regional scale. In this context, the project will focus on the potential of five minor crops including four grain legumes (pea, faba bean, lupin, lentil), and a pseudo-cereal crop (quinoa) will be evaluated in the pedoclimatic context of Normandy. The challenges consist in the identification of crop management adapted to these five crops based on a systemic approach to optimize cropping practices and maximize the potential benefits of these crops. This approach involves the consideration of climatic conditions, soil biological state, crop vulnerability and socio-economic obstacles related to their introduction and sustainability in Normandy region. The expected findings will include i) the identification of suitable crop managements and the causes of yield losses for production and, ii) the assessment of crops vulnerability under climate change by taking into account the nature, the magnitude and the rate of climate change as well as the agro-ecological and socio-economic aspects of crops. The results of the project will allow us to make propositions to farmers and agricultural advisers to support the introduction of protein crops during transitional pathways on a broader spectrum of farms. Therefore, the findings will contribute to the territorial dynamic by offering to decision-makers information about potential crop suitability and geographical distributions to make strategic investments in infrastructure, and market protein-rich crops produced in Normandy area.