DairyPaths

DairyPathS (Agroecological Pathways for Sustainable, Resilient and Diversified Dairy Farming Systems in Europe) is a European research project that supports the transition towards more sustainable and resilient dairy farming systems. The project works with farmers, advisors, researchers, and policymakers to co-develop regionally adapted agroecological solutions that better integrate livestock production with grasslands, crop systems, and agroforestry. Its goal is to reduce environmental impacts, strengthen farm resilience, and improve the long-term sustainability of dairy production.

At the heart of DairyPathS are Living Labs established across several European countries, where stakeholders collaboratively design and evaluate alternative dairy farming pathways under local conditions. The project combines participatory approaches, modelling, biodiversity assessments, and multi-criteria sustainability evaluation to assess environmental, economic, and social outcomes and support evidence-based decision-making.

Through its integrated assessment framework and decision-support tools, DairyPathS aims to identify practical strategies that enhance biodiversity, improve nutrient circularity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthen the economic viability of European dairy farms.

Collaborators:

Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB, Germany) Project coordinator, Aarhus University (Denmark), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), University of Milan (Italy), INRAE (France), Ruralis – Institute for Rural and Regional Research (Norway), Eurac Research (Italy), Universitat Politècnica de València (Spain)

The project is funded through the Agroecology Partnership, a European research and innovation partnership supporting the agroecological transition of agriculture.