Urgenda Launches Ambitious Sustainable Farming Initiative in Netherlands
Rural Netherlands, Friday, 31 January 2025.
Urgenda offers €1,000 per hectare to Dutch farmers for eco-friendly practices, aiming to reduce environmental impact and improve biodiversity over a ten-year period.
A New Vision for Dutch Agriculture
The sustainability organization Urgenda has launched a groundbreaking initiative to transform Dutch agriculture, offering €1,000 per hectare to farmers who commit to sustainable practices [1]. Starting January 30, 2025, twenty farmers will receive financial support over a decade-long period, with the project’s annual cost estimated at €600,000 [1]. Marjan Minnesma, Director of Urgenda, emphasizes the initiative’s potential, stating ‘It seems to me a no-brainer,’ noting that the program could save €6 billion in healthcare and environmental costs through reduced pesticide use [1].
Seven Steps to Sustainability
Participating farmers must meet seven specific criteria, including the reduction of livestock numbers, elimination of chemical fertilizers, and dedication of at least 10% of their land to hedges and trees [1]. This comprehensive approach aims to create what Urgenda calls ‘nature-inclusive’ farming, with goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75% and nitrogen emissions by 57% [1]. The initiative is particularly timely given that Europe has experienced a temperature increase of 2.3°C compared to pre-industrial levels, making it the fastest-warming continent globally [3].
Scientific Monitoring and Future Impact
Wageningen University will oversee the project’s progress, specifically monitoring biodiversity and crop yields [1]. While initial crop yields may decrease during the transition, the program anticipates eventual increases as sustainable practices take hold [1]. The initiative aims to address critical environmental challenges by 2030-2035, including the elimination of South American animal feed imports, which currently utilize 2.9 million hectares of land [1]. This aligns with broader European efforts to combat climate change, as the EU has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 [3].