HSG Leads the Charge: Pioneering EU and Swiss-Funded Projects to Transform Sustainable Agriculture and Land Use

HSG Leads the Charge: Pioneering EU and Swiss-Funded Projects to Transform Sustainable Agriculture and Land Use

(IN BRIEF) The University of St. Gallen (HSG) is spearheading three innovative projects—Nostradamus, LandShift, and AfroGrow—aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture and land use, with financial support from both the EU’s Horizon Europe programme and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, totaling around CHF 2.9 million. Coordinated by the Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence at the Cyprus University of Technology, these projects span several years, with LandShift scheduled from 2024 to 2027, Nostradamus from 2024 to 2028, and AfroGrow from 2025 to 2028. Nostradamus leverages real-time data from Earth observation, IoT, and AI to optimize agricultural practices and reduce input costs, thereby strengthening the resilience of European food production. LandShift focuses on using advanced digital tools and AI to streamline land use and promote nature-based solutions in five European pilot regions, aligning with the goals of the New European Bauhaus to achieve climate neutrality. AfroGrow, on the other hand, aims to enhance the sustainable management of agroforestry in Africa through the creation of six interconnected “living labs” that utilize digital tools and a crowdsourcing app to deliver tailored, climate-resilient farming practices and facilitate effective knowledge exchange among stakeholders. HSG’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, under the leadership of Dr. Sabine Hoidn, is providing critical socio-economic impact analysis, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable governance strategies, ensuring that these technological innovations are seamlessly integrated into practical policies that drive lasting change in agriculture and land use.

(PRESS RELEASE)  ST. GALLEN, 18-Mar-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The University of St. Gallen (HSG) is taking a prominent leadership role in three groundbreaking projects aimed at fostering more sustainable agriculture and land use, with funding from the European Union and Switzerland. These initiatives—Nostradamus, LandShift, and AfroGrow—are supported by the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, while HSG itself will receive approximately CHF 2.9 million from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation. Coordinated by the Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence at the Cyprus University of Technology in Limassol, these projects will unfold over several years, with LandShift running from 2024 to 2027, Nostradamus from 2024 to 2028, and AfroGrow from 2025 to 2028.

The Nostradamus project aims to revolutionize European agriculture by harnessing real-time data derived from Earth observation, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence. By consolidating vast amounts of information into cloud-based systems, it will empower land managers, advisory services, agtech companies, and policymakers to operate more efficiently, reduce input costs, and bolster the resilience and independence of European food production.

Meanwhile, LandShift is focused on the data-driven optimization of land use systems. Utilizing earth observation, AI, and digital data platforms, the project is testing nature-based solutions in five pilot regions across Europe to contribute to climate neutrality in land management, aligning with the ideals of the New European Bauhaus. The outcomes will equip decision-makers with robust, scientifically validated digital tools for sustainable land management.

AfroGrow targets the sustainable management of agroforestry in Africa by establishing six interconnected “living labs.” In this project, partners are developing digital tools and a crowdsourcing app to deliver context-specific knowledge on climate-resilient farming techniques. An open data platform is also in development to offer data-driven recommendations for selecting plants and animals, thereby facilitating effective knowledge exchange between the realms of science, policy, and practical implementation.

HSG’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences plays a vital role as the key social science partner in all three projects. Under the guidance of Dr. Sabine Hoidn, an interdisciplinary research team will conduct socio-economic impact analyses, engage stakeholders, devise training programs, and formulate sustainable governance strategies—all with a focus on promoting gender equality. “Technological innovations alone are not enough – only by embedding them in a sustainable economic and social environment can we create successful digital solutions for fairer and more sustainable land use in the long term,” explains Dr. Hoidn. Her team’s work will ensure that the benefits of these cutting-edge technologies are effectively translated into policies and practices that drive real-world change.

Through these collaborative efforts, HSG is set to not only advance research in sustainable agriculture and land use but also to pave the way for more equitable, efficient, and environmentally responsible practices across Europe and Africa.

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SOURCE: University of St. Gallen