Farmer needs money to scale up nature-inclusive

Smart financial incentives are needed to further scale up nature-inclusive agriculture. This is the conclusion of a study by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) and the Free University of Amsterdam (VU).

Nature-inclusive agriculture uses natural processes and the business operations are geared as closely as possible to the surrounding ecosystem. Farmers only invest in this form of agriculture if they are motivated. In addition, they must be prepared to take risks and be convinced that a different form of agriculture is possible. That draw conclusions the PBL and the VU. The aim of their research was to find out what the willingness of farmers is to invest in nature-inclusive agriculture and how the government can respond to this with policy.

Reimbursement needed
The study included a survey among more than 1.100 farmers. This shows that 58% have taken several measures for a more nature-inclusive business, such as extra grazing, flowering field margins or the use of green manures. Only 18% have implemented nature inclusiveness further in their business operations. 40% of farmers indicate that they would like to take more measures, but there must be a compensation for this.

Various financial incentives are required for further scaling up nature-inclusive agriculture. This can be, for example, a combination of reimbursements from the CAP, interest discounts and additional prices. Farmers who are already doing something about nature inclusivity are more likely to go the extra mile. They already have the knowledge and motivation to make good use of these resources. In order to get the masses moving, knowledge dissemination is essential, also about the risks of switching. For a farmer, switching often means an extensification of business operations and therefore a different revenue model.

Long-term certainty
Conclusion of the study: long-term certainty in policy, but also in financial incentives, is necessary to provide farmers with the certainty they need to make their business operations, and thus also the Dutch agricultural system, more nature-inclusive.

Jeanette Pennings

Jeannet has her roots in the flower bulb sector and she grew up on an agricultural company in the northern part of North Holland. As a generalist she reports for Boerenbusiness across all sectors. She is also exploring the possibilities of sponsored advertising.

j.pennings@boerenbusiness. Nl

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