Measuring circular agriculture, Schouten is investigating

How do you measure the progress on an agricultural company in the development of circular agriculture? Agriculture Minister Carola Schouten has this investigated. Ultimately, this should lead to a system with which the performance of an agricultural company in circular agriculture can be measured.

This reports knowledge giant Wageningen UR, who will carry out the research together with the Louis Bolk Institute and the Boerenverstand consultancy. The last 2 organizations are active in research and promotion of sustainable agriculture. The ultimate goal is for the Ministry of Agriculture (LNV) to monitor, or control, the progress of circular agriculture on agricultural companies. 

To this end, the researchers will test a set of so-called Critical Performance Indicators (KPIs) for circular agriculture in practice. According to Wageningen UR, this mainly helps agricultural entrepreneurs. According to the knowledge organisation, if the sustainable performance achieved at company level is demonstrable (for example in soil, water, biodiversity and climate), customers, government or social parties can reward this.

Controlling individual files from the government is often ineffective, according to Wageningen UR. "A set of integral KPIs can help provide that clarity, also with regard to circular agriculture."

Fewer rules
The idea is that by focusing more on the goals, the regulatory burden on the agricultural sector will also be reduced. "A farmer has the freedom to determine how far he wants to go in sustainability, depending on what suits his company." The new project builds on previous experiences with KPIs in arable farming and dairy farming as much as possible. Experiments are being conducted in areas specifically designated for circular agriculture that have been designated by the minister. To this end, agricultural entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to temporarily deviate from the regulations.

Jurphaas Lugtenburg

Is editor at Boerenbusiness and focuses mainly on the arable farming sectors and the feed and energy market. Jurphaas also has an arable farm in Voorne-Putten (South Holland). Every week he presents the Market Flash Grains

j.lugtenburg @boerenbusiness. Nl

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