The National Growth Fund is investing 129 million euros in the ReGeNL programme; a groundbreaking programme designed to transform the Dutch agricultural sector into a regenerative, sustainable and future-proof sector. The programme was founded by a partnership of 54 companies and organisations, including Wageningen University & Research. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy announced that the ReGeNL consortium has met all the conditions for this investment and that the allocation of funding is therefore final.
The concrete goal of ReGeNL is to develop replicable business models with several pioneering farmers by 2030 and to make the transition to regenerative agriculture in five focus areas, involving at least one thousand farmers. They are supported in this endeavour by all 54 parties and possible future partners in the consortium. A second important objective of ReGeNL is to implement educational innovations aimed at regenerative agriculture, which will train or retrain at least 10,000 (future) farmers, advisors and employees of chain and area parties by 2030. The ultimate goal is to make sustainable and profitable agriculture with a positive impact on nature and climate the new standard in the Netherlands.
Piet Adema, Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality:
"The transition to sustainable agriculture is only possible if we work together, with farmers as well as chain parties, knowledge institutes, financial institutions and education. That is why I am happy that we, the government, can support great initiatives such as the ReGeNL programme, in which 54 parties work together to support farmers in achieving future-proof agriculture."
Wouter-Jan Schouten, Theme Director Sustainable Agriculture at Next Food Collective and architect of the ReGeNL programme:
"We are extremely happy with the financial support from the NGF and the confidence of the minister and all consortium partners. This gives us the opportunity to take real steps towards a regenerative and sustainable agricultural sector in the Netherlands. Together, we will ensure that sustainable agriculture with a positive impact on nature and climate becomes the new standard."
Regenerative agriculture combines food production with ecosystem restoration, improvement of soil fertility, water management and biodiversity. In addition, regenerative agriculture can make a positive contribution to the social and economic position of farmers. This way, it responds to the growing demand for sustainable food production and contributes to solving the wider environmental problems of Dutch agriculture.
The ReGeNL programme proposal was submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. It was developed by Next Food Collective, Wageningen University & Research, University of Groningen, and Utrecht University in collaboration with 54 partners from the entire food system.
Obtaining this investment from the NGF means that farmers, cooperatives and networks, chain parties, financial institutions, knowledge & technology suppliers, and educational & research institutions can jointly start implementation at the beginning of 2024. All partners are extremely motivated to support farmers in the transition and thereby secure the future for the sector and the food supply, within the ecological and social boundaries of our country.
