project - EIP-AGRI Operational Group

Flemish Protein Farmers
Vlaamse Eiwitboeren

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Ongoing | - Belgium
Ongoing | - Belgium
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Context

An increasing market demand for locally produced protein crops, a stimulating policy (Flemish protein strategy) and the benefits for soil and agrobiodiversity have convinced several farmers across Flanders to explore growing protein crops for human consumption. Farmers can diversify their income, reduce inputs such as fertilizer and make their agricultural soils more resilient. Existing marketing channels for locally grown proteins crops are small-scale. Locally grown protein crops usually find their way to market through the short chain. This requires great effort and network building from farmers. Producers of organic and conventional protein crops are therefore looking for new channels where they can dispose of larger volumes at a fair price. On the buyers' side, some confidence must also grow so that they can take steps when the supply is sufficiently large.


Activities

The aim is to explore with farmers and committed chain players at the Flemish level how to collaborate better to take a new step forward in the production of locally produced protein crops for human consumption (yellow pea, field bean, chickpea, soybean, quinoa, lupin, lentils). The project consists of two parts. In the first part the OG will try to get a clear picture of the production and marketing of protein-rich crops at the Flemish level. In addition, the knowledge about cost price and market value of the protein-rich crops produced in Flanders will be collected in order to determine a fair price for the growers. A comparison will be made of five protein-rich crops: field beans, chickpeas, soy, yellow peas and quinoa. The quality and quantity of these crops in Flanders will also be identified. In the second part the OG builds knowledge about cooperation between farmers on the one hand and between farmers and buyers: risk spreading between companies in the chain, possible sustainable forms of cooperation, cooperation agreements and basic contracts. It is also crucial that entrepreneurs learn to understand each other better, explore different cooperation methods and build trust.

Activities

Het doel is om met landbouwers en ketenspelers op Vlaams niveau te onderzoeken hoe beter kan worden samengewerkt om een stap te zetten in de productie van lokaal geproduceerde eiwitrijke gewassen voor humane consumptie (veldboon, kikkererwt, soja, gele erwt en quinoa; waar mogelijk linzen en lupine). Het project bestaat uit twee delen. In een eerste deel vormt de OG zich een duidelijk beeld over de productie en afzet van eiwitrijke gewassen op Vlaams niveau. Daarnaast wordt ook de kennis over kostprijs en marktwaarde van de in Vlaanderen geproduceerde eiwitrijke gewassen verzameld om zo een eerlijke prijs voor de telers te bepalen. Er wordt een vergelijking gemaakt van vijf eiwitrijke gewassen: veldbonen, kikkererwten, soja, gele erwten en quinoa. Ook de kwaliteit en kwantiteit van deze gewassen in Vlaanderen worden in kaart gebracht. In het tweede deel wordt kennis opgebouwd over samenwerking tussen landbouwers enerzijds en tussen landbouwers en afnemers: risicospreiding tussen ondernemingen in de keten, mogelijke duurzame samenwerkingsvormen, samenwerkingsovereenkomsten en basiscontracten. Daarnaast is het ook van cruciaal belang dat ondernemers elkaar beter leren begrijpen, verschillende samenwerkingsmethoden verkennen en vertrouwen opbouwen.

Project details
Main funding source
CAP Strategic Plans 2023-2027 for Operational Groups
Additional funding source
Private funding
Project contribution to EU Strategies
  • Achieving climate neutrality
  • Protecting and/or restoring of biodiversity and ecosystem services within agrarian and forest systems
Territorial scope
National

Budget information

EUR 44 677.00
Total contribution
EAFRD contribution
EUR 17 200.00
National co-financing
EUR 22 800.00
Eigen bijdrage van de OG
EUR 4 677.00

  • EAFRD contribution EUR 17 200.00
  • National co-financing EUR 22 800.00
  • Eigen bijdrage van de OG EUR 4 677.00
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