The aim of STARGATE is to develop a multiscale holistic climate-smart agriculture methodology, capitalizing on innovations in the field of microclimate and weather risk management, as well as in the field of landscape design. The methodology is intended to help policymakers, agricultural consultants and farmers in achieving short and long-term adaptation to climate change. This is achieved through an extensive study of the benefits of applying agri-environment-climate technical solutions and the establishment of Living Labs. The project is developing agro-climatic indicators, methods and tools for decision making, and testing those in real-condition pilots.
The STARGATE pilot case studies were defined through the active participation of the pilot stakeholder group, including farmer associations, agronomists, public sector agencies, civil society organizations and others. 16 use cases were identified covering different aspects of crop and livestock production, as well as different agroclimatic zones and user segments.
The project team developed a multimodel ensemble numerical weather prediction system, as well as a sub-seasonal to seasonal climate predictions system. Several climate risk scenarios were developed for each pilot use case based on a crop-specific risk analysis/monitoring/prediction method using historical climatic data. Agroclimatic indicators for each pilot site were identified and a climatological analysis of past and future climate conditions of the pilot areas has been performed in order to assess the trends and impacts of climate change on each of the pilot sites. This was followed by the design of a suite of Strategic and Tactical Decision Support Tools to facilitate a more efficient use of inputs and energy, while reducing agricultural emissions and preserving the environment.
