FROM DIRECTIVE TO ACTION: SUSTAINABLE FARMING UNDER THE NITRATE DIRECTIVE AND FARM TO FORK PROGRAM

Introduction: The Nitrate Directive and the From Farm to Fork Program

The excess of nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, in the environment has become a major concern due to their overuse in agriculture and the inefficient way plants absorb these nutrients. This surplus leads not only to air, soil, and water pollution but also contributes to climate change and harms biodiversity, particularly in rivers, lakes, wetlands, and seas. To address this, the European Commission has set ambitious goals to cut nutrient losses by at least 50% and reduce fertilizer use by at least 20% by 2030. This will be accomplished through the full implementation of environmental and climate laws, identifying necessary nutrient load reductions, and promoting balanced fertilization and sustainable nutrient management practices.As part of this effort, the Nitrate Directive and the From Farm to Fork (F2F) program are central to ensuring that agricultural practices contribute to both environmental protection and the resilience of farming systems. The Nitrate Directive explicitly aims to reduce the risk of nitrate pollution in water bodies, while the F2F program focuses on promoting sustainable food systems.

What It Means for Farmers

The Nitrate Directive introduces significant changes for farmers, particularly in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs), where nitrogen use is strictly regulated to protect water quality. In these zones, farmers face limitations on fertilizer applications to prevent excess nutrients from leaching into groundwater or running off into surface water bodies. This can be challenging for farmers as it restricts the use of synthetic fertilizers and requires them to adopt more sustainable farming practices to maintain soil fertility and ensure crop yields.

Alongside the Nitrate Directive, the Farm to Fork (F2F) program is pushing for a broader shift toward sustainable agriculture across the European Union. The F2F strategy aims to make food systems fairer, healthier, and more environmentally friendly. For farmers, this means adopting practices that reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, promote biodiversity, and encourage sustainable nutrient management. The F2F program encourages farmers to adopt more precision farming techniques, including the use of technology to optimize fertilizer use, reduce waste, and improve the overall efficiency of agricultural operations. These changes aim to create a more resilient agricultural sector while contributing to the broader goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing food security.

In practical terms, farmers may need to adapt by integrating alternative products such as bioproducts to replace or reduce synthetic fertilizer use. The directive also promotes more sustainable practices, such as precise fertilization techniques and recycling organic waste into renewable fertilizers, which can be particularly beneficial in hotspot areas of intensive livestock farming. This evolution in farming practices, guided by both the Nitrate Directive and the F2F program, presents an opportunity for innovation but also requires farmers to invest in new technologies and adapt their operational models. For many, it’s an opportunity to improve environmental stewardship while maintaining profitability through more resource-efficient farming methods.

Bioproducts as a Sustainable Alternative

One promising solution to the nitrogen challenge is the use of bioproducts. These products, which often contain beneficial microorganisms, can help improve soil fertility and nutrient availability without the negative environmental impact of traditional fertilizers.

Groundfix is one such biological product designed to enhance nutrient availability. It increases the utilization rate of applied mineral fertilizers by 1.2 to 1.5 times and mobilizes inaccessible forms of phosphorus and potassium into readily available forms. This allows for a reduction in complex fertilizer use by up to 30%, thereby improving root development, nutrient assimilation, and sugar accumulation in plants.

Another bioproduct,

Azotohelp, focuses on enhancing nitrogen fixation in the soil. Azotohelp is composed of Agrobacterium pusense, a natural nitrogen-fixing bacterium. This biological product acts as a growth stimulator, increasing seed germination energy and stimulating the development of the root system and plant biomass. It binds atmospheric nitrogen, providing an average of 30 kg/ha of nitrogen per year, significantly reducing the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. By promoting natural nitrogen fixation, Azotohelp helps farmers reduce fertilizer costs and improve soil health.

Both Groundfix and Azotohelp support soil microorganisms, improving nutrient availability and helping plants thrive in a more sustainable, cost-effective way. These bioproducts offer a sustainable alternative to traditional fertilizers, ensuring that farmers can maintain high productivity levels while minimizing their environmental impact.

Firsthand Experience – An Interview with Torben Gärtner (Germany)

Torben Gärtner, a farmer based in Lower Saxony, Germany, shared his experience using bioproducts on his farm.

“My name is Torben Gärtner. We are located in the Hannover area, in the triangle between Hannover, Hamburg, and Bremen — in Lower Saxony, on peatland soil. We grow maize, oats, and several grain and forage crops, all our maize goes to the biogas plant. For the past three years, we have been using Groundfix in the seed row during sowing, and we are very satisfied with it, as you can also see from the maize in the background. We apply it at one liter per hectare, as recommended, and have managed to cut our fertilization costs by about half compared to last year, while yields have remained stable,” says Torben.Firstly, we were skeptical about this product but decided to test it in a large-scale trial, using reduced conventional fertilization alongside Groundfix. We found no difference in yield compared to conventional fertilization, and that was the decisive moment. Since we couldn’t increase yields any further, the only way to improve our margins was to cut input costs.”He continues, “Before sowing, we always applied digestate and used to plough. Now we’ve moved to minimal tillage. We apply digestate using a slurry tank and disc harrow just before sowing and then seed a few days later. Previously, when ploughing, we applied 100–200 kg of DAP or 20-20-0 fertilizer, depending on nutrient needs. That meant an extra field pass but gave us flexibility. Now we’ve completely changed our fertilization approach. We use digestate up to the legal limit — phosphorus is the limiting factor, not nitrogen. So we apply 125 kg N from digestate and reach the phosphorus limit, which means we can’t use DAP anymore, and Groundfix has replaced it entirely.”“The yield hasn’t increased compared to last year, but the cost savings are significant. We’re now at 25–30 euros per hectare, excluding organic fertilization, and we’ve completely eliminated DAP, which would normally cost 45–65 euros per hectare. So everyone can calculate the savings — roughly 50% of mineral fertilizer costs saved, simply because we replaced it with Groundfix, which costs only half as much.

Torben Gärtner's experience exemplifies the potential for innovation in farming practices. By adopting Groundfix and re-evaluating his fertilization methods, he not only improved cost efficiency but also enhanced crop health and yield.

The Future of Agriculture Under the Directive

The future of agriculture in light of the Nitrate Directive holds great promise for sustainable farming practices. As farmers adopt bioproducts and other innovative technologies, the agricultural sector is moving toward a more resilient, resource-efficient, and environmentally friendly model. The Nitrate Directive, while presenting challenges, also offers farmers an opportunity to explore new practices that reduce environmental impact and improve farm profitability. With continued investment in research and the development of bioproducts, farmers can achieve the dual goals of maintaining high productivity and protecting the environment.

The Nitrate Directive and the From Farm to Fork program are driving European agriculture toward a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future. By using bioproducts, farmers can reduce their reliance on traditional fertilizers, cut costs, and improve soil health, all while complying with the new regulations. As Torben Gärtner’s experience demonstrates, the transition to sustainable farming practices is not only possible but can be highly beneficial. With continued innovation and the integration of biological solutions, the future of agriculture looks both productive and environmentally friendly.

Source:New Ag International.
Available at: [https://informa.turtl.co/story/turtl-support-copy-of-new-ag-intl-eng-novdec-2025-last-saved-copy/page/10/1](https://informa.turtl.co/story/turtl-support-copy-of-new-ag-intl-eng-novdec-2025-last-saved-copy/page/10/1)

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