Background Farmland occupies around 50% of Europe’s land area and farming activities have shaped a rich variety of landscapes and habitats. It plays a vital role in maintaining natural resources and cultural landscapes and is crucial for many human activities. However, inappropriate agricultural practices also cause adverse environmental effects, including degradation and pollution of soil, water shortages and pollution, air pollution, fragmentation of habitats and loss of biodiversity. In Spain, as in most Mediterranean countries, agricultural yields have been falling steadily, unless propped up by artificial irrigation or the use of fertilisers and pesticides. It is only because of EU’s farm subsidies (CAP) that agriculture persists in less prosperous areas. Every year, large tracts of land fall into disuse, as erosion and ever drier soils mean that farming is no longer viable. Currently in Spain, the organic matter content of dry lands ranges from 0.0 to 0.5%. Organic agriculture has long been recognised as having positive benefits for the soil and the environment generally, but it continues to be scarcely applied, especially in these poor-soil areas. This is mainly attributed to insufficient knowledge about optimal application techniques and the perception of low economic benefits unless supported by subsidies. Objectives This LIFE project aims to demonstrate that the application of organic farming techniques can make cultivation of semi-arid land economically viable. The project therefore aims to demonstrate an alternative to current erosive farming practices and land abandonment in areas with vulnerable dry soil types. The project will examine optimal combinations of methodologies (crop rotation; fertilisation with compost; and re-introduction of traditional crops) to achieve the best soil and crop quality results for specific soil and climate conditions. It will seed a variety of crops - including the re-introduction of at least five traditional crops - on a variety of soil types with different characteristics in terms of acidity, erosion, stones, organic matter, humidity, etc. Weather stations and innovative sensor technologies will be applied to monitor, analyse and manage the different variables of the project sites. Control areas will be used to enable assessment of the effects of different practices. Farmers collaborating with the project will receive tailored training to enable their effective participation. Expected results: A 20% increase in the organic content of topsoil (fertility) and yields of semi-arid land through organic farming methods; Reintroduction of at least five traditional crops to semi-arid areas; Promotion of new niches markets for organic produce with a lower CO2 footprint compared to other types of farming; Demonstration of the economic viability of organic farming on semi-arid land; Development of the skills base and enhancement of the quality of life of farmers.