Sustainable systems

To put sustainable agriculture into practice, the organic food chain should be considered in its entirety. Such is the vision of the Dutch organic sector. By emphasizing this holistic view, organic farmers can make a significant contribution to increasing the sustainability of agriculture. Through systems research, scientists are analysing environmental performance and trying to find system solutions for the challenges faced by Dutch organic agricultur

Organic and conservation agriculture, the best of both worlds?

In millions of years huge amounts of organic matter were stored in the soil as organic matter or fossil energy carriers as oil, gas and coal. We make use of these stocks to supply us with energy and to be able to grow plants for our needs. However what has been stored in our soils for millions of years we now are depleting in a few hundred years. The amount of organic matter we return back to the soil is in general too low to maintain its capacity for plant production on the long term. Various studies show there is a decrease of organic matter in arable soils all over the world

Comparison integrated and organic strawberry production

In the Southeast region of the Netherlands, several types of experimental vegetable farming systems are tested. This table shows and compares the first year cultivation results of strawberries in two different systems (organic and integrated)

Organic agriculture in the Netherlands

Dutch organic agriculture has unique characteristics and peculiarities. It is still a relatively small sector compared to conventional agriculture in the Netherlands. However, its market share is growing and organic agriculture leads the way in terms of sustainability and innovation

Health and welfare of organic livestock

Animal health and welfare are important principles of organic animal husbandry. In the Netherlands organic animal husbandry has proven to perform better than the conventional sector on many aspects of animal welfare. The Dutch organic animal husbandry sector has recognised animal health and welfare as crucial and maintains a strong focus on further improvement. Dutch scientists are working to advance the health and welfare of organically kept animals. Additionally, they focus on innovations and directly applicable solutions to specific problems concerning diseases and behaviour. This research is often carried out in close collaboration with farmer

Research on organic agriculture in the Netherlands : organisation, methodology and results

Chapters: 1. Organic agriculture in the Netherlands; 2. Dutch research on organic agriculture: approaches and characteristics; 3. Dutch knowledge infrastructure for organic agricultur'; 4. Sustainable systems; 5. Good soil: a good start; 6. Robust varieties and vigorous propagation material; 7. Prevention and control of weeds, pests and diseases; 8. Health and welfare of organic livestock; 9. Animal production and feeding; 10. Special branches: organic greenhouse production, bulbs, ornamentals and aquaculture; 11. Healthfulness and quality of products; 12. Economy, market and chain; 13. People and society. A publication of Wageningen UR and Louis Bolk Institut

Animal production and feeding

Organic livestock farmers will try to accommodate the natural needs and behaviour of their animals as much as possible. They pay extra attention to animal health and welfare, but also set high standards for housing, outside access and feed. Dutch researchers are looking for practical solutions to the problems that currently limit the sustainability and growth of organic animal production. The ultimate objective of current research is to ensure that Dutch organic dairy farms use organic rations made up of locally or regionally produced raw materials, and that they supply manure for the production of these raw materials

Robust varieties and vigorous propagation material

Research on organic plant breeding and propagation material in the Netherlands is booming. This research is carried out in close cooperation with growers, breeders and the seed industry. Is organic breeding and propagation really different from the conventional system? And which types of varieties are needed

People and society

Organic agriculture has excellent opportunities to create strong links between the environment it operates in, the people who live there and local nature and landscape. The Dutch organic sector aspires to strengthen these links and it is already well on its way. Together with researchers and stakeholders new concepts are being developed and put into practic

A practical case of crop protection strategies in de Southwest of the Netherlands

Two types of integrated extensive vegetable crop protection systems and one organic extensive vegetable system were tested at one location. The choice of crops in both systems was based on the region and soil. For both systems, the same main crops were planted