The Hijos de Rivera Chair at the University of A Coruña (UDC) announced the results of a Sustainable Development project focused on syntropic agriculture to rehabilitate soil affected by intensive eucalyptus cultivation. Conducted in collaboration with the Sustainable Foundation of Galicia on a farm in A Laracha, near the Montemaior neighbourhood, the initiative investigates how soils degraded by long-term eucalyptus planting can still yield safe, consumable crops.
Over the four years of operation, the foundation has demonstrated notable regional outcomes, including successful harvests of crops such as potatoes, wheat, barley, and wild berries. The director of the Fundación Galicia Sustentable observed that the farm, described as having blackberry and weed growth initially, required substantial clearing at the project’s outset to establish a viable foundation for growth.
Central to the approach is syntropy — a concept that prioritizes natural balance and the interdependent relationships within ecosystems. To apply this, researchers tested a variety of crops on the eucalyptus soil to introduce diverse micronutrients and tested the use of organic matter derived from eucalyptus as compost to nourish the ground.
First came meadow grasses growing alongside the trees, followed by cereal crops. Project director Marcos Pérez noted that forage peas were among the plants that germinated reliably. The team even introduced a broader range of vegetables and tubers. Local residents were surprised to see potatoes emerge as one of the standout producers, showcasing the potential for food crops in these conditions.
The mayor of A Laracha, José Manuel López Varela, admitted with a hint of disbelief that his father-in-law might be interested in seeing the potatoes firsthand. Not every crop found success, however; some experiments did not perform as hoped, including a trial with certain fruit varieties that did not adapt well to the water demands of eucalyptus during dry summers.
Hijos de Rivera Chair representative Ángel Fernández, director of Sustainable Development at UDC, commented on the research mindset: outcomes that succeed are celebrated, and lessons learned from unsuccessful trials also guide future work. He acknowledged the ongoing challenge of managing soil acidity and the way tree species influence soil characteristics, underscoring that full control over the natural environment remains a work in progress.
75% of eucalyptus fields are salvageable
The project aims to demonstrate practical applications for these areas by exploring their potential to produce food for local consumption. Projections from the study suggest that up to 75 percent of intensive eucalyptus farms could be rehabilitated to support crop production. In Galicia, this area of focus encompasses a substantial landscape, with hundreds of thousands of hectares involved in related agricultural and forestry practices.
UBC’s vice-chancellor Salvador Naya highlighted the value of collaboration among people, resources, companies, and institutions, especially when a public university engages with its region. He emphasized that research centers and laboratories are essential, but outreach to nearby communities—specifically the A Coruña region—matters just as much for real-world impact.
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Note: The environmental department’s contact details have been removed to maintain privacy. The project continues to inform sustainable farming practices and soil rehabilitation strategies across similar agricultural settings.