Farmers to Earn Carbon Credits through Fiber Crop Cultivation
Utrecht, Thursday, 13 November 2025.
The National Green Fund will host a webinar in December 2025 on carbon credit certification, offering financial incentives to farmers cultivating crops like hemp and flax for sustainable building materials.
Introduction to the National Green Fund’s Initiative
The National Green Fund, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature, is set to host a webinar in December 2025 focusing on the certification of carbon credits for farmers. This initiative is part of the Regeling Stimulering Vezelteelt (RSV) program, which aims to support farmers cultivating fiber crops such as hemp, flax, willow, and miscanthus. These crops are crucial for producing sustainable building materials and contribute to carbon sequestration efforts [1].
Financial Incentives for Sustainable Cultivation
Under the RSV program, farmers are offered financial incentives in the form of carbon credits. The National Green Fund plans to purchase €2.5 million worth of carbon credits from farmers growing natural fiber crops. This move not only provides financial security but also encourages the transition towards sustainable agricultural practices [1][2]. As of late October 2025, farmers cultivating elephant grass have already received over €200,000 in carbon credits, highlighting the program’s immediate impact [3].
Webinar Details and Certification Process
The upcoming webinar, scheduled for 2 December 2025, will be conducted by ONCRA, a Dutch certification body specializing in carbon sequestration through biobased materials. The session will provide an overview of the certification process, detailing both the costs and benefits for farmers and processors. Participants will gain insights into how much CO₂ their crops can sequester and how this can translate into financial gains through carbon credits [1][4].
Long-term Goals and Environmental Impact
The overarching goal of the National Green Fund’s initiative is to have Dutch farmers cultivate 50,000 hectares of fiber crops within five years. This ambitious target aims to ensure that 30% of housing construction materials are derived from sustainable sources by 2030 [3][5]. Such efforts are crucial for meeting climate goals and fostering a biobased, circular economy, ultimately contributing significantly to climate change mitigation through increased carbon storage in building applications [1][4].