1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Ja

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

Nee

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Field margins in agricultural areas are sown with specific flowers to attract insects which help combating pests of crops and livestock and reduce the need for pesticides.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Flower strips on field margins have been established in the centre of Belgium in the region ‘Pajottenland’. The Pajottenland is predominantly farmland and lies mostly between the rivers Dender and Senne in close proximity to Brussels. Pajottenland has historically provided food and drink for the citizens of Brussels. This SLM practice was established in September 2019 on parcels on 7 different farms in Pajottenland. Such flower strips are 3-12 metres wide and are established at the edges of fields to provide nectar and pollen to attract beneficial species that control pest species. It is estimated the beneficial effect of the flower strips on field margins extends about 50 metres into the field.

The strips provide a habitat for natural enemies of various crop and livestock pests to control and decrease their population and to reduce the necessity of spraying pesticides. Care it taken in choosing and sowing flower species that attract arthropods with a role in biocontrol, such as hoverflies, lacewings, parasitoids and ladybirds. The flower strips conserve ecosystems and improve biodiversity, also facilitating ecosystem-based disaster risk and integrated soil fertility management.

Farmers dedicate strips of land on field margins to flowers (perennial herbaceous plants). Work includes management of the soil, sowing seeds, mowing flowers and removal of residues. Costs are related to farmers working hours, sowing and mowing equipment, pesticides (if necessary) and seed costs. Savings are related to providing a habitat for natural pest controls, thereby reducing pest in crops and increasing yields.

What do land users like about the technology?
- increased recreational impact for humans due to the beauty of the flower strips
- increased biodiversity (beyond natural pest enemies)

What do land users dislike about the technology?
- reduced overall income from crops (due to reduced area)
- the costs - unless subsidies become more widely available

The compilation of this SLM is a part of the European Interreg project FABulous Farmers which aims to reduce the reliance on external inputs by encouraging the use of methods and interventions that increase the farm’s Functional AgroBiodiversity (FAB). Visit www.fabulousfarmers.eu and www.nweurope.eu/Fabulous-Farmers for more information.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Belgium

Region/ State/ Province:

Flemisch Brabant

Further specification of location:

Pajottenland

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• applied at specific points/ concentrated on a small area

Is/are the technology site(s) located in a permanently protected area?

Nee

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2019

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• during experiments/ research
• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Interreg North West Europe: FABulous farmers

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• preserve/ improve biodiversity

• Reduced pesticide use

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Nee

Cropland

• Annual cropping

• Various crop types used in a regional effort to implement flowerstrips

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Is intercropping practiced?

Nee

Is crop rotation practiced?

Nee

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• No (Continue with question 3.4)

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• integrated pest and disease management (incl. organic agriculture)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A1: Vegetation/ soil cover

vegetative measures

• V2: Grasses and perennial herbaceous plants

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

biological degradation

• Bp: increase of pests/ diseases, loss of predators

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• not applicable

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Dimension flower strip: minimum 3 metres wide
Effect of the flower strips goes up to 50 metres
Sowing= 2 g seeds/m²= 20 kg seeds/hectare

Author:

Mathias D’Hooghe

Date:

02/10/2019

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

€

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

0.91

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

In 2019 farmers working with VLM who provide a subsidy to sow and maintain field margins at ~70% of the costs to embed and maintain the flower margins.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Comments:

No on-going maintenance. The technology would be re-established as required

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Cost of seed mix
Cost of machines to embed and maintain the flower strips if not already available to farmer

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

Nee

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Nee

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

To be increased by SLM.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• leased

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Ja

Specify:

Royal decrees, rent legislation

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Ecological impacts

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

Comments:

'Positive' with the support of subsidies.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 1-10%

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 0-10%

Comments:

Support provided by SLM expert and subsidised establishment costs

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

Nee

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.4 General comments

This SLM technology is an excellent and easy way to reduce pesticide use and provide other benefits in-kind. The key challenge is to use the correct flower seed mix to attract the most beneficial species for the farm and crop.