Green revolution Rabobank starts in Friesland

Rabobank is starting Food Forward in Jirnsum in Friesland, a program that aims to accelerate the arrival of sustainable food with less ecological impact. Food blogger Rens Kroes will be the face of the campaign: she must create awareness and behavioral change among consumers. In 2019 and 2020, Rabobank itself will enter into discussions with farmers, agribusiness, food experts and stakeholders in 14 regions to initiate new development directions.

"Something will really change in the Dutch agricultural and horticultural sector in the coming years. The new green revolution is inevitable and we would like to kick-start its concrete implementation. In fact, from our position (as the leading financier) we cannot and do not want to. lean back", says Carin van Huët, director of Food & Agri Netherlands at Rabobank.

That is quite a turnaround, because until now you have mainly acted as a facilitator; Rabobank has never wanted to know so much about a directing role in change.
"I don't see it as a cover, because we've done this before. At the time, that happened more in the background, but now we announce it prominently. This is mainly because the subject is so important. In the entire chain (from farmer to plate) steps are needed for a responsible diet, with less ecological impact, so doing nothing is no longer an option."

"We are currently facing a second green revolution and are working towards an agricultural sector in which sustainability becomes important. This leads, among other things, to new crops, other production methods, extra attention for animals and biodiversity and different dietary patterns. chair of the entrepreneur, but we do think that as the leading financier we should take responsibility to kick-start the discussion about the interpretation."

What does the rollout of Food Forward look like?
"The kick-off will take place in a glass greenhouse in Jirnsum (Friesland), called 'Brasserie 2050'. Based on the regional scan made by Rabobank, the developments and trends in the food and agro-economic landscape of Friesland have been mapped out. We will discuss this with approximately 120 people, in order to clarify the opportunities, threats and development direction for the Frisian region."

“Flevoland (June) and Noord-Holland (September) will follow after Friesland. The other 11 Rabobank regions will then be discussed, partly in 2019 and partly in 2020. We consciously opt for this regional roll-out, because each region has its own character. Just look at soil composition or availability of agricultural land. The results of the scan will therefore also differ per region."

What should this lead to per region?
"A selection from the starting group enters the program with a number of meetings, the 'Food Forward Track'. Rabobank provides coaching and guidance, in order to make ideas workable. In this way they are treated, among other things, to company visits, workshops on design thinking, prototyping, business modelling, they receive pitch training and have the opportunity to gain support for their proposals."

"Ultimately, a number of concrete plans must be rolled out per region. That can be a business plan, but also a campaign or new activity. However, this may also lead to the development of new financing models."

Can you give an example of what could arise?
"That can be very different. We naturally hope that other parties will join, so that there is a snowball effect that can accelerate developments. A recent example of this is dairy farming in the province Drenthe† We offer an interest discount of 0,5% for dairy farmers who opt for operational management that contributes to more biodiversity."

"The province also makes money available for sustainability goals for every dairy farm, while FrieslandCampina gives dairy farmers the opportunity to get involved in 'Planet proof† As of 2020, a plus of €0,02 can be earned on the milk price for this. This gives you an accumulation of financial benefits that makes it more attractive for entrepreneurs to actually take action for a more circular way of farming."

Minister Carola Schouten (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality) wants to move towards circular agriculture. Does the current agricultural sector, financed by Rabobank and geared to exports, still fit in the Netherlands?
"I don't know why not, provided sufficient steps are also taken in the field of sustainable production. That may be possible without the sectors contracting, but I do not rule out the possibility that shrinkage in some sectors may be the result of new directions that you can take. However, shrinkage is certainly not a goal in itself."

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