The future of sustainable agriculture took centre stage at the National Ploughing Championships 2024, as Dr David O’Connell and his research team from Trinity College Dublin showcased their ground-breaking NUTRECS project. Funded by Research Ireland, this innovative initiative addresses critical challenges in nutrient management and water quality, positioning Ireland as a leader in sustainable farming practices. EU Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability, and Capital Markets Union, Mairead McGuinness, engaged with the project, highlighting its potential impact on the agricultural sector.

The Challenge: Future Food Systems and Nutrient Management

Ireland is committed to reducing its reliance on artificial fertilisers as part of its environmental sustainability goals. The target is to decrease the use of artificial fertiliser from 408,000 tonnes in 2018 to 325,000 tonnes by 2030. However, the reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilisers presents a challenge for water quality, as nutrients will continue to leach from the land, delaying the positive effects on water ecosystems.

An estimated 44% of agricultural land in Ireland is equipped with artificial subsurface drainage systems, which, along with surface drains, are known to contribute to the export of nitrogen and phosphorus. These nutrient exports have significant consequences for water quality and quantity downstream, posing a challenge to both environmental and agricultural stakeholders. The impact of extreme hydrological events, such as droughts and floods, further complicates the management of these nutrients.

The Solution: Nutri-Trap for Sustainable Nutrient Recovery

The NUTRECS project introduces an innovative solution to this complex problem: the Nutri-Trap, a passive in-drain subsurface technology. This device is designed to recover nutrients from subsurface drainage water using sustainable reactive materials. Unlike existing techniques that focus solely on nutrient removal, the Nutri-Trap aims for solid-state recovery and sustainable reuse of the captured nutrients, promoting a circular economy in agriculture.

The Nutri-Trap offers a more time and space-efficient alternative to traditional methods like constructed wetlands, which require significant land area and maintenance. By incorporating abiotic and biotic processes, the Nutri-Trap provides an economic and effective pathway for nutrient recovery in intensively farmed areas. This approach not only improves water quality but also allows farmers to recover valuable nutrients for reuse, thereby reducing the need for artificial fertilisers.

A Collaborative Effort for a Sustainable Future

The research team is led by Dr David O’Connell, with co-lead Dr Marta Martins, both from Trinity College Dublin, and supported by Margaret Keegan from the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), who serves as the Societal Impact Champion. The team’s collaborative approach ensures that the Nutri-Trap technology integrates seamlessly with existing nutrient management strategies, such as precision fertiliser applications, phosphorus indexing, seasonal slurry applications, and riparian buffer zones.

Engaging Stakeholders and Driving Change

The presence of EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness at the National Ploughing Championships underscores the significance of the NUTRECS project in shaping the future of sustainable agriculture in Europe. Engaging with stakeholders at events like this is crucial for the dissemination of innovative solutions and fostering collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and the farming community.

The NUTRECS project, with its Nutri-Trap technology, represents a significant step forward in sustainable nutrient management and agricultural practices. By addressing the challenges of nutrient leaching and promoting nutrient recovery, the project supports Ireland’s goals for reduced artificial fertiliser use and improved water quality. As this research progresses, it promises to contribute to a more sustainable and economically viable future for Irish agriculture, setting an example for other regions facing similar challenges.