Circular agriculture

Dutch agriculture is seen as a global trendsetter and is viewed by many countries as the aspirational model of a system that undergirds the ability to feed the entire world population. It is constantly striving for better results. New insights and technologies are rapidly introduced, much collaboration takes place, knowledge is generated and experience acquired.

And yet challenges abound: the climate is changing, biodiversity is declining, a shortage of clean drinking water threatens, there are ever more people and ever fewer farmers. In Minister Schouten's agricultural vision from the summer of 2018, the closing of loops is highlighted in order to achieve a system of food production in which nature, environment, soil and climate are not overexploited, but in which various strive together to utilise residual flows.

Development has already started, but there are still many questions: how can circular agriculture be organised in a smart, healthy and safe way; in a way that yields the most profit for the sustainable production of healthy and safe food in the future, while at the same time offering the best prospects for farmers and businesses as well as for the climate, nature and society? We already know a lot about efficient food production, but not yet in a context where cycles are exploited to avoid wasting and losing raw materials and biomass.