HOLOS IE: A Whole Farm Model

The agriculture sector requires labour-intensive measurements and monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions and pollution to work towards the EU and Irish climate goals. Computer modelling is the best approach to predicting and evaluating the wider effects of agriculture and mitigation measures for these impacts, while allowing production to continue. This study will therefore involve extensive statistical, digital, and programming approaches for tailoring a systems model in association with other relevant Irish projects and beyond to develop a digital platform covering the Irish agricultural landscape (HOLOS-IE). As an integrated whole farm tool, it will help farmers to improve land use planning for attaining agri-environmental sustainability, as well as to support advisors and industries to generate, implement and disseminate management policies; inventory staff for national GHG reporting; and academics/researchers to teach and put further research efforts for improvement.

Our Holos-IE platform will provide systems-based alternative land use/management options and climate change scenarios that will assess the greenhouse gas and carbon balance, independent emission factors, and carbon dioxide emissions. It will then provide an opportunity to recommend best approaches for sustainable integrated farming including forestry, and for policy, taking account of environmental and socioeconomic concerns. The platform is designed for use by farmers, stakeholders, researchers, and the national inventory team for reporting. Working together we can mitigate climate change and adaptation and prepare for sustainable agricultural production.