For five years, 1000 Portuguese farmers sowed biodiverse seed mixtures, rich in legumes, across 50 000 hectares. This was part of the Terraprima project which tackled multiple challenges including climate change, biodiversity and soil degradation. This nature-based technique offers a potential sustainable intensification solution, simultaneously increasing production and environmental services. The sowing of these biodiverse seed mixtures resulted in a higher animal production and higher protein content of the animal feed. It also increased carbon sequestration through organic matter stored in the soil, improved soil fertility, increased water retention capacity of the soils and reduced the risk of erosion. What is more, the pastures helped maintain the diversity of plant species, birds and insects.