REAP2SOW aims to develop sustainable, climate-resilient food systems by focusing on the improvement and promotion of novel plant-based protein crops such as quinoa, white lupin, and aardaker. These crops are selected for their potential to enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, and contribute to the protein transition by offering alternatives to traditional animal-based proteins. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the project integrates cutting-edge research on plant breeding, soil ecosystem functions, cultivation practices, consumer behavior, health impacts, and supply chain dynamics. The REAP2SOW project is organized into several highly interlinked work packages (WPs)
WP1 focuses on breeding and improving the genetic traits of these crops to increase stress resilience, protein content, and reduce anti-nutritional factors. This provides the foundation for WP2, which explores below-ground development, nitrogen acquisition, and photosynthesis, ensuring crops are efficient in nutrient acquisition and carbon fixation. The relationship between root traits and soil microbiomes is further studied in WP3, which assesses how these crops impact soil biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and resilience to abiotic stress.
On the consumer side, WP4 evaluates the nutritional quality and consumer appeal of the crops, considering sensory perception and health benefits. WP5 focuses on food safety, allergenicity, health impacts, and the integration of these crops into local and global supply chains, ensuring that they meet safety and nutritional standards while supporting sustainable production. The historical context provided by WP6 offers historical insights into forgotten crops and their relevance to modern sustainable food systems, while WP7 designs diverse cropping systems that integrate these crops into real-world agricultural practices.
The project emphasizes knowledge utilization and outreach (WP8), targeting policymakers, farmers, educators, and the public to ensure broad adoption of these crops and their benefits for food security, health, and environmental sustainability. Ultimately, REAP2SOW supports the transition to a healthier and more resilient food system in the Netherlands.
