- 1European Commission - Joint Research Centre, Ispra (VA) Italy
- 2Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
- 3Cirad, Montpellier, France
- 4Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences (DiSSPA – Entomology and Zoology), University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
- 5Seidor Italy, s.r.l., Milano, Italy
- 6Department of Bioscience, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
- 7University Paris-Saclay, INRAe, AgroParisTech, Palaiseau, France
The iMAP-FP project 1, conducted by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre from 2019-2025, aims to assess the sustainability of farming practices (FPs) using meta-analyses (MAs). The core objective is to create a comprehensive, evidence-based resource to inform European agricultural and environmental policies, particularly within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The project seeks to identify practices that can mitigate environmental impacts while maintaining or improving agricultural productivity.
The iMAP-FP dataset encompasses 570 MAs published since 2000, analysing the impacts of 34 categories of FPs on a broad range of different environmental and agricultural outcomes, including GHG mitigation, soil health, water use, pollution control, biodiversity, and productivity. The dataset covers a broad range of geographic regions, and includes >5000 estimated effect sizes comparing sustainable interventions against conventional practices.
A free online evidence library 2 provides access to the synthesized evidence on specific FPs and their impacts. Farming practices have also been classified merging nomenclature found in the literature with the European policy contexts 3. An analysis of the MAs trends shows a quality improvement in meta-analysis standards but highlights key remaining deficiencies, including reporting biases and insufficient data sharing. Furthermore, the project identified frequent trade-offs between productivity and environmental outcomes, demonstrating the complex nature of agricultural sustainability. Quantitative effects assessing the climate and environmental impacts of many specific FPs, useful to assess CAP interventions, have also been provided 4,5, as well as a policy-brief report focusing on FPs improving water management 6. A promising pilot trial in merging primary data from 15 MAs focusing on organic vs conventional farming, overcoming methodological limitations, is another output of the project. These outcomes provide policymakers with tools to assess the environmental impacts of specific practices and identify areas where further research and policy intervention are needed.
Future developments of the iMAP-FP framework could focus on incorporating new MAs as they are published, updating the dataset with emerging FPs and agroecological systems, and exploring primary-literature data to better reflect context-specific effects. The creation of interactive tools and visualizations could also facilitate access and understanding for policymakers and stakeholders. The use of machine learning tools is also foreseen to automate data extraction, analyze trends, and identify potential research gaps. Finally, the scientific community might engage with the JRC to promote data sharing according to FAIR principles and enhance training in meta-analysis methodologies to inform future agricultural policies.
1. 10.1038/s41597-024-03682-6
2. https://wikis.ec.europa.eu/display/IMAP/
3. 10.2760/33560.
4. 10.2905/b097f5ed-7eba-4ee0-87a5-a582425eba3b.
5. 10.2760/20814
6. JRC137742
How to cite: schievano, A., bosco, S., perez-soba, M., Chen, M., Montero-Castaño, A., Tamburini, G., Guerrero, I., Maria, B., Van der Velde, M., Landoni, B., Mantegazza, O., Paracchini, M. L., Rega, C., Terres, J.-M., and Makowski, D.: Building an evidence base for sustainable agricultural policies: the iMAP-FP project, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-13566, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-13566, 2025.
