Context

The beneficiary of this project is Collectief Rivierenland, a farmer-led cooperative in the Netherlands committed to promoting nature-inclusive agriculture. The collective supports farmers in implementing agri-environmental measures and strengthening the ecological value of their land while maintaining profitability.

In the Netherlands, biodiversity on farmland has been declining sharply for decades. Traditional efforts to reverse this trend, such as bird-friendly field margins, have yielded mixed results, mainly due to limited scale, weak eco-design and inconsistency in implementation. At the same time, farmers are under increasing pressure to produce more sustainably, with fewer inputs and better results for nature.

Collective Rivierenland saw this need and developed the Biodiverse Field Mosaic (Biodivers Akker Mozaïek, or BAM, in Dutch) concept, which improves on previous models by combining ecological and agronomic benefits. Farmers design a mosaic of crops and landscape elements, such as alfalfa, herbs and bird-friendly crops, in prescribed proportions and with strict management rules, to create fields that are both productive and rich in biodiversity.

A pilot with eight farmers on 50 hectares showed promising results, but scaling up requires knowledge, skills and cooperation. Many farmers are no longer familiar with growing protein-rich crops or managing biodiversity without the use of chemicals. In addition, collaboration between farmers – to learn, share machinery or improve market access – is essential for long-term success.

This project addresses these needs through tailored training, peer learning, expert guidance and structured collaboration, laying the foundation for a growing community of farmers at the forefront of regenerative and nature-inclusive agriculture.

Objectives

The primary goal was to improve biodiversity on farmland through ecological crop mosaics by increasing farmers' knowledge of nature-inclusive farming techniques. This would strengthen ecological outcomes while at least maintaining or hopefully improving agricultural income, while also reducing the reliance on chemical inputs by promoting ecological weed and pest control, as well as supporting the successful cultivation of protein-rich and bird-friendly crops.

The project looks to encourage peer-to-peer learning and collaboration between farmers, building a community of practice for long-term sustainable land management. It also targets improvements in scalability and long-term adoption of the BAM concept across the region.

Activities

In 2023, a pilot was carried out with eight farmers on nine BAM fields over 50 hectares, to test the BAM concept in practice and collect ecological and agronomic feedback. These insights were used to tighten up the BAM guidelines and shape the knowledge project.

After the start of the project, 20 new farmers showed interest in applying BAM practices. Intake interviews were held to assess the company-specific context, provide tailor-made advice and align training and guidance needs.

An important activity was the organisation of several training sessions on: the cultivation of protein-rich and bird-friendly crops; weed and pest control according to ecological principles; the implementation of under-sowing and mixed cultivation; and practical BAM field management according to prescribed standards. These were combined with demonstrations on the farm and presentations by experts.

Participating farmers received one-on-one coaching during the growing season. Advisors visited farms to solve problems, share feedback and adapt BAM practices to local conditions. Workshops were held to promote cooperation between the participants. Topics included sharing best practices and experiences; joint use of equipment and planning; and research into joint marketing and sales of BAM crops. There was also a dedicated workshop focused on strategies to develop local value chains and improve agricultural income through BAM.

Ecological and agricultural monitoring was carried out to track progress and impact, with the lessons learned used to further improve the concept.

The project results were shared via newsletters, social media, a webinar, and articles in (agricultural) media. Factsheets were made available to stakeholders and other regions.

Generational Renewal

Young farmers in the Rivierenland region were involved in the design and management of BAM plots, experimenting with nature-inclusive farming techniques. The project also created opportunities for younger landowners to explore ecological farming methods which combine productivity with biodiversity, while collaboration with experts enabled them to gain new skills in ecological monitoring and sustainable land management.

The project also welcomed young volunteers to participate in bird, butterfly and plant monitoring on BAM fields, supporting both field experience and ecological awareness.

Main Results

In terms of the climate and the environment, more than 50 hectares of BAM fields have been created with a diverse mix of protein-rich crops and herb strips. This has improved habitats for birds and insects, which contributes to the preservation of biodiversity and the resilience of the ecosystem, reduced the use of chemical crop protection and incurred minimal soil disturbance, reducing environmental pollution and improving soil health.

Financially, crop diversification has improved the farmers’ economic results. The project has boosted the local economy through cooperation and knowledge exchange between farmers. It also created better market positions and sales opportunities for nature-inclusive products.

Socially, experienced and young farmers worked together through targeted training and practical guidance, promoting cooperation and knowledge-sharing within the farming community and strengthening social networks and joint stewardship of the landscape.

Farmers also gained an in-depth understanding of the cultivation of protein-rich crops and ecological principles for controlling weeds and pests without chemicals. The project served to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity and sustainable agricultural practices within the local farming community. The innovative crop rotation and under-sowing techniques that were applied are tailored to both agricultural productivity and nature conservation, and, overall, the project led to the development of best practices for the management of BAM fields that effectively balance ecological and economic goals.

Key lessons

Involving as many experts as possible was key to the project’s success.

Strong cooperation between farmers, nature conservation organisations and regional governments ensured practical and ecological knowledge exchange. Collaboration with specialist bodies helped to strengthen the quality of training and knowledge development, while the involvement of the Province of Gelderland and the Gelderland Platform for Nature-Inclusive Agriculture was crucial in terms of monitoring, communication and policy coordination.

Creating farmer networks was also critical, as it facilitated peer-to-peer learning, the sharing of experiences and joint problem-solving. Similarly, workshops stimulated horizontal cooperation and collaboration in the fields of machine use, knowledge sharing and market development.

Finally, it was important to integrate financial incentives, to link ecological objectives with economic feasibility for those involved.