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

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:

Yes

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?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Certified Organic Agriculture (EU standards) with a combination of arable and vegetable crops on sandy soils in the Netherlands

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The technology is applied in a vegetable/arable production system on sandy soils in the Netherlands, but could be applied in various production systems on various soils. There are not directly environmental constraints for the application of certified organic agriculture.

Main characteristics of certified organic production can be found in the standards for organic production in the EU (Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007). Purpose of the technology is sustainable production in a broad sense. Concerning soil management, focus is on maintaining soil quality and preserving (soil) biodiversity. Major inputs are organic fertilizers. No synthetic fertilizers and no synthetic pesticides are used. In practice in the de Peel region where this technology is applied also the use of 'organic' pesticides is minimal.
The impacts of the technology are:
- a better soil quality in general,
- reduced nitrate emissions to groundwater,
- better water holding capacity,
- and more stable yield which are however on average 20% lower than conventional yield.

Yield reduction is mainly due to pests and diseases. The economic performance of the system is good (better than conventional production).
Land user like this technology because of the good economic result and because it call upon their craftmanship as a farmer. Then again, farmers dislike it because its complicated, and pests are sometimes hard to control and finally because of additional handlabour needed for weed control.

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:

Netherlands

Region/ State/ Province:

De Peel

Further specification of location:

located close to the village Vredepeel

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:

• 0.1-1 km2

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

1998

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation
• during experiments/ research
• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The rising awareness of the importance of sustainable production and landuse makes that organic farming more and more applied, in research/projects as well as by the farmers themselves.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• preserve/ improve biodiversity
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• create beneficial economic impact

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

Cropland

• Annual cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

• cereals - barley
• cereals - maize
• legumes and pulses - peas
• root/tuber crops - potatoes
• root/tuber crops - sugar beet
• vegetables - root vegetables (carrots, onions, beet, other)

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Comments:

Main crops (cash and food crops): 1:6 rotation: potato, pea, leek, summer barley, sugarbeet, maize

3.4 Water supply

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• rotational systems (crop rotation, fallows, shifting cultivation)
• integrated soil fertility management
• integrated pest and disease management (incl. organic agriculture)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A1: Vegetation/ soil cover
• A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility
• A5: Seed management, improved varieties

management measures

• M2: Change of management/ intensity level

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by wind

• Et: loss of topsoil

chemical soil deterioration

• Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)

physical soil deterioration

• Pc: compaction

biological degradation

• Bs: quality and species composition/ diversity decline
• Bl: loss of soil life

water degradation

• Hq: decline of groundwater quality

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• prevent land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

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):

euro

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

0.87

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Establishement costs are hard to estimate because it depends on the farm specific situation. However there will be a need to adapt the machinery for weed control and also there will be costs (or actually losses in turnover and profitability) in the conversion period because crops grown in the conversion period cannot yet be sold as organic against a premium price.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Comments:

There are a lot of small items that change after adopting organic agriculture. I just mentioned the most relevant ones

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

Comments:

The additional costs (compared to conventional) and yield losses are most of the time more than covered by additional income because of premium product prices. Costs are calculated for a 50 ha farm.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

handlabour for weed control

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?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

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, not titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

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

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

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

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

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?

• 91-100%

Comments:

Adaptation is driving by the mindset that taking good care of soils and environment is very important

6.6 Adaptation

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

No

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