Innovative Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture Research Network (RENOVAS) was structured in 2018 based on the need to bring together the research developed by Onda CBC researchers related to the different farming systems that are the main economic activities within the Caatinga Biome. 

The predominant agricultural production systems in the Brazilian semi-arid region are based on the conversion of native areas into cultivated areas, with the cutting and burning of native vegetation, exploitation and subsequent abandonment (fallow). The main factor limiting agricultural productivity, after water restriction, is the deficiency of N and P. The high cost of the input and climatic uncertainties, which reduce crop responses to its application, reduce the viability of applying nitrogen fertilizers by farmers. As a result, crops are dependent on the supply of N from the soil, which is poor in organic matter, and yields are low.  

Unlike the model in other places, irrigated fruit growing in the São Francisco sub-medium region uses chemical fertilizers in quantities that have major environmental impacts, both for their production and due to their low efficiency, which leads to significant losses in the quantities applied. In this way, RENOVAS was organized with the main objective of promoting the sustainability of agricultural activity and food security in the Caatinga Biome, through the generation of alternative technologies that promote increased productivity, the replacement or reduction of the use of costly inputs (mainly industrialized fertilizers) and the mitigation of the environmental impacts of production systems. More specifically, the RENOVAS network aims to define cultivation systems to maximize biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and the production and application of biochar in crops of potential or traditional importance to the Brazilian semi-arid region, contributing to the so-called ABC (Low Carbon Agriculture) programs. 

Research involving BNF, green manure, organic manure, remineralizers, biofertilizers and the use of biochar as a soil conditioner is conducted in various locations in the semi-arid region and with various food crops (corn, beans, sorghum, sunflower, fruit) and forage crops (forage palm, grasses, native pastures). The Network's research was supported by projects approved even before its creation, and until 2022, the main ones being: 1) “Cropping systems using biological nitrogen fixation in the Brazilian semi-arid region” (APQ - FACEPE, Process: 306622/2015); 2) “Research network for the development of technologies using atmospheric N input, nanobiofertilizers and remineralizers for low-carbon agricultural production in the Brazilian semi-arid” (Call 32/2022, Process 406073/2022-8), 3) “Generation of data, technological tools and agricultural and forestry management strategies for the adaptation and mitigation of climate change in the Caatinga biome (CNPq/MCTI/FNDCT No. 59/2022), 4) FÊNIX: from the use of waste to obtaining bio-inputs based on biochar to tackle social inequality and food security (MCTI/CNPQ/CAPES No. 16/2014). In addition to these larger projects, several grant applications were approved, which led to the involvement of more undergraduate and postgraduate students in the research carried out by the Network. 

The Renovas Network has achieved significant results as a result of its activities. It has published 119 scientific articles, 8 book chapters and 69 abstracts at events. The network also took an active part in 14 scientific events, acting as a speaker or member of the organizing committee. In addition, 5 patents were registered. In terms of training human resources, the RenovaS Network trained 9 post-doctors, 14 doctors, 27 masters, 2 specialists, 5 authors of theses and 22 undergraduate students.