Conspiracies about soil do not bring solutions

The farmland is emaciated. The soils are exhausted. The farmland is in bad shape. And the culprit is also known: intensive farming. Because fertilizers are used there, animals are put in a box and pesticides are frequently used there. The earth is breaking down and farming is wrong. And whoever takes responsibility gets blamed.

The Zembla broadcast about 'The Excuse of the Boerenleenbank' thus paints a world view that makes no one happy. In short and appealing images, a picture is sketched of the quality of the Dutch agricultural soil, the disastrous agricultural system and the role of financial institutions.

Farmers are stuck
While listening, you as a viewer are tempted to adopt the above world view. Scientists, economists and conventional and organic farmers use concrete examples and visual language to show that the current agricultural system can do nothing but mar the soil and destroy it.

It almost seems as if all conventional farmers are so stuck financially that they can do nothing but produce and pollute. That they can only be profitable by maximizing the use of fertilizers, slurry, and pesticides. And in this they are also stimulated by the entire chain, in particular by the banks.

World view a caricature
I refuse to adopt that worldview. It's too depressing for me and it doesn't do justice to reality. It's a caricature. A caricature of agriculture, of the craftsmanship of the entrepreneurs, and of the quality of the soil. It reminds me of the widely spread conspiracy theories about the origin and spread of Corona.

The picture outlined above also seems like an example of a conspiracy theory: there is a small group of organizations that cause damage to the environment and a large part of the population. Facts are ignored, and individual experiential stories and beautiful images are integrated into a well-running story, so that you as a viewer cannot draw any other conclusion than "Get lost, it's really going wrong". However, do listeners and viewers see that the colorful reality is simplified into a simple black-and-white image?

Most fertile soil in Europe
In an earlier series of articles I have shown that the quality of our agricultural soils is optimal for sustainable agricultural production. We still have the most fertile soils in Europe. Every day I speak to advisors and farmers who are committed to maintaining and improving the quality of the soil.

They provide sufficient organic matter to feed the soil life, improve the soil structure and improve the nutrient status of the soil. They are thinking about a varied crop plan to promote biodiversity and harvest security and to reduce the use of pesticides. For their manure plan, they think about the right timing, the right application technique, and the right fertilizer to prevent losses to the environment and to produce sufficient food.

Increasing biodiversity
They adapt their management to the natural fertility of the soil. They process and lime the soil to make it optimal again for both crop production and soil life. There are thousands of farmers who take extra steps through Agricultural Nature and Landscape Management to increase biodiversity, limit nutrient losses and stimulate meadow birds and plants and animals in the ditch.

I also know of examples where meadow birds prefer to forage on agricultural plots than on nearby nature, precisely because the agricultural soil contains so many earthworms. And based on this knowledge and experience, I seriously disagree with the world view that is outlined in the Zembla broadcast. This world view does not do justice to current agricultural practice, nor to the efforts and motivation of farmers to take good care of their soil and living environment. And it certainly doesn't encourage them to change.

Not getting the environment
Are there no problems with our current agricultural system? Yes, there are. Also for farmers who want to switch to a different type of farm system and who do not get their environment involved. But those problems do not lie in the agricultural soil. And yes, our agricultural system is in transition to new forms of circular agriculture, regenerative agriculture, and nature-inclusive agriculture.

And yes, banks also play a role in this, as do governments, chain parties and ultimately the consumer. Because we agree that farmers should not only produce more food, but should also contribute to climate, water and nature challenges. Because we not only want to manage the earth but also want to preserve it for the future generation.

Provide inspiration
Conspiracy theories do not provide solutions. Nor do they encourage involved farmers, banks and chain parties to participate. Therefore, focus on the good examples that exist. Provide inspiration, give hope and stimulate the development of new forms of agriculture. Involve all parties in the realization of this inspiring vision of the future. We will not survive without the farmers. In my view, the desired transition will only be a success if we take them seriously - with their knowledge of and love for the soil and their business.

Gerard Rose

Senior project manager in soil, water and agriculture at the Nutrient Management Institute (NMI).

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