Landscape-inclusive agriculture

The integrated farming system with a sustainable construction plan

The joint venture consists of a partnership between four farmers, comprising one dairy farmer and three arable farmers. In the joint venture, the various farms complement each other in terms of manure and feed, which means that the nitrogen cycle is completely closed and crops can be grown/produced without nitrogen fertiliser and without externally purchased concentrated feed. Instead of the one-to-three rotation that is common in the current system, the crop rotation plan in this future perspective has a one-to-six rotation, with one part always being filled with grass clover as a mowing fertiliser. Other arable crops, including seed potatoes, can be grown on the other five parts. The expansion of the crop rotation plan and the use of organic fertilisers will have a positive impact on soil quality, making crops more resistant to disease, reducing the need for fertilisers and improving freshwater retention.

Landscape structures for improved drainage

The dykes, lakes and roads form the backbone of the landscape of De Marne. Linking landscape structures to the agricultural system not only strengthens the landscape and biodiversity in the area, but also benefits agriculture. Examples include an ecological network for pest control, the collection and delayed drainage of water, and the use of grass clippings as a source of compost. Together, the lakes and dykes form a potentially dense ecological network. When all sections of dyke are joined together, for example in an agricultural collective, clear management can create a clearly visible ecological zone and landscape structure. The banks of the lakes will be widened and designed as wet overflow areas that can flood during heavy rainfall. The vegetation can absorb nutrients that are washed away and purify the water before it enters the lakes. Recreational routes are being created at strategic locations along the lakes and on the dykes. This creates a network of routes that increase the visibility of the lakes and dykes. Making one party responsible for the management of the dykes and lakes will allow for better coordination and more efficient working. The dykes and lakes form the common thread through the area, connecting all its corners ecologically.

Strip cropping for diversity

The transition to strip cropping contributes to further sustainability in business operations. This involves creating strips on a single plot of land on which different crops are grown. Between the strips of crops, three-metre-wide biodiversity strips are created to further reduce the risk of infection and pest infestation in the crops. In addition, the biodiversity strips contribute to the ecological connectivity of the region. Strip cropping can be used to reinforce the distinction between salt marsh embankments and salt marsh ditches, for example by only applying strip cropping on the salt marsh embankments.