{ "type": "mediaitem", "identifier": "mediaitem_14155", "subtype": "wmammodularcontent_gkn_news", "title": "\u2018Regenerative farming offers many options, but there\u2019s no one-size-fits-all\u2019", "navtitle": "", "url": "/nl/groenkennisnet/nieuwsitem/regenerative-farming-offers-many-options-but-theres-no-one-size-fits-all", "language": "nl_NL", "sections": [ { "identifier": "pagesection_145298", "title": "GKN Configuratie", "link": "/nl/groenkennisnet/paginasectie?pagesectionid=145298&tsobjectid=145298" }, { "identifier": "pagesection_145419", "title": "GKN Menu", "link": "/nl/groenkennisnet/paginasectie?pagesectionid=145419&tsobjectid=145419" }, { "identifier": "pagesection_145379", "title": "GKN Footer logo's", "link": "/nl/groenkennisnet/paginasectie?pagesectionid=145379&tsobjectid=145379" }, { "identifier": "pagesection_145248", "title": "GKN Footer", "link": "/nl/groenkennisnet/paginasectie?pagesectionid=145248&tsobjectid=145248" }, { "identifier": "pagesection_145401", "title": "GKN Footer legal", "link": "/nl/groenkennisnet/paginasectie?pagesectionid=145401&tsobjectid=145401" } ], "metadata" : { "id": 26605, "identifier": "mediaitem_14155", "contenttype": "wmammodularcontent_gkn_news", "contenttype_title": "contenttype_wmammodularcontent_gkn_news", "url": "/nl/groenkennisnet/nieuwsitem/regenerative-farming-offers-many-options-but-theres-no-one-size-fits-all", "title": "‘Regenerative farming offers many options, but there’s no one-size-fits-all’", "lead": "Regenerative agriculture holds promise, but how to make it financially viable? In the Public Private Partnership (PPP) project ‘Regenomics’ Wageningen University & Research and partners are working to shed light on the benefits and costs of regenerative agriculture. How can we support farmers to make choices that fit their circumstances? By the end of 2025, our model will be available for all European farmers.", "leadimage": { "source": "https://api.groenkennisnet.nl/upload_mm/7/a/e/2555_fullimage_istock-1337567516.jpg", "width": 1321, "height": 794, "focuspoint-x": -1, "focuspoint-y": -1, "alternative_text": "", "photographer": "yuelan", "photographer_hyperlink": "https://www.istockphoto.com/nl/portfolio/yuelan?mediatype=photography", "photo_license": "iStock", "photo_license_hyperlink": "https://www.istockphoto.com/nl/legal/license-agreement", "source_info": "Aerial drone image of fields with diverse crop growth", "source_info_hyperlink": "https://www.istockphoto.com/nl/foto/aerial-drone-image-of-fields-with-diverse-crop-growth-polyculture-and-permaculture-gm1337567516-418403679", "keywords": [] }, "publication_date": "2025-07-25T09:00+02:00", "lastmodified_date": "2025-12-15T15:15+02:00", "expiration_date": "", "tags": [ "Nieuws", "Dutch" ], "copyright": "", "external_id": "", "item_metadata": { "contentsubtype": "Nieuws", "theme": [], "related_dossier": [], "keywords": [], "gkn_organization": { "title": "Groen Kennisnet", "url": "/nl/groenkennisnet/nieuwsitem/groen-kennisnet-organisatie" }, "author": { "title": "Redactie Groen Kennisnet", "url": "/nl/groenkennisnet/nieuwsitem/redactie-groen-kennisnet" }, "contactperson": { "title": "Redactie Groen Kennisnet", "url": "/nl/groenkennisnet/nieuwsitem/redactie-groen-kennisnet" }, "video_header": "", "link_extra_image": "", "subject_abstract": "", "target_audience_abstract": "", "region_abstract": "", "jumplinktext": "" } }, "contents": [ { "area": "main", "title": "Main", "elements": [ { "type": "text", "html": "

Although <\/strong>the projec<\/strong>t ‘<\/strong>Regenomics’<\/strong> <\/em><\/strong>is still underway, we are already uncovering valuable insights. This is what we have learned so far in step 1 of 3: collecting research data<\/ins>.<\/strong><\/p>

Imagine 40 arable farms in 4 regions across Europe: from the hills of Picardie (northern France) to the plains of Észak-Alföld (Hungary). Over the past fall and winter, local research teams walked across the grounds of these farms to talk to farmers for the WUR PPP-project Regenomics<\/em>.<\/p>

‘The four participating regions all have their own characteristics’, emphasizes project leader Mark Manshanden from Wageningen University & Research. ‘That’s exactly what we wanted: by including such a variety of agricultural circumstances, we are touching upon the differences in context that is so vital to regenerative agriculture.’<\/p>

Regenerative agriculture can mean different things, Manshanden points out. ‘In general, you can say the approach is about restoring and improving the health of the soil, ecosystems and biodiversity. But many choices can contribute to that goal. You can use less synthetic fertilizer, fewer pesticides – or both. You can also start planting a wider variety of crops. Or increase the amount of organic matter in the soil. And so on.’<\/p>

Thorough approach<\/strong><\/h2>

The researchers thoroughly examined the farms, their workflow and management choices. What crops do farmers grow, in what amount? How many seeds do they put into the ground? Which and how many pesticides do they use? Do they work with synthetic fertilizer, or animal manure? Which tractors and other machines do they have? Farmers sent soil samples to the lab for analysis.<\/p>

In an extensive Excel-sheet, the data collectors noted their findings. They even included a detailed schedule of the monthly farming operations: when did farmers go out into the field with their tractor? And what do these operations cost in terms of resources – from diesel to fertilizer? ‘We now know exactly how many hours every machine is used’, Manshanden says. ‘Personally, I never did a project with such detailed data collection before. A great opportunity.’<\/p>

First conclusions<\/strong><\/h2>

All these data were collected to be used in simulation models – but more on that later. During these first steps of the research process, Manshanden and his team have already gained a lot of knowledge and insights. ‘For me a striking finding is that in some regions, farms run purely on synthetic fertilizers.’<\/p>

Animal manure is a key principle of regenerative farming. Manshanden: ‘But partners told us switching is not always easy. In some regions, there is no livestock farming nearby: it’s impossible or very expensive to buy manure. If you want to support the transition to regenerative agriculture, especially in the short run, you have to take such local circumstances into account. There is no one-size-fits-all.’<\/p>

Regenerative farming has all sorts of goals and options, Manshanden goes on, and sometimes one choice counters the other. ‘If you don’t want to till the soil too often, it is more difficult to prevent weed growth. Conversely: if you reduce pesticide use, you have to work the land more often to deal with weeds.’<\/p>

Furthermore, if farmers grow a greater variety of crops – another regenerative intervention – that means they produce less tonnes of each crop on the farm. ‘You might still have the same amount of wheat, soy or barley on balance, but it comes from several different farmers. This has implications for buyers.’<\/p>

<\/p>

Stakeholder sessions<\/strong><\/h2>

To test their findings and assumptions, the research team organises expert meetings with stakeholders. ‘Those also provide useful insights’, says Manshanden. ‘For example, our first thought was to focus on reducing herbicides in the scenarios we are developing. But the French experts mentioned they prefer reducing fungicides first, because that is less of a challenge.’<\/p>

For the WUR researchers, the Regenomics project also clarifies how big the differences are between agricultural businesses across Europe. ‘Especially compared to The Netherlands, farms in the participating regions have other challenges – like water shortages – and are often less optimized. In the transition to regenerative agriculture, that could be an advantage: it means there is a good chance regenerative agriculture is a cheaper, easier, more efficient way of farming.’<\/p>

The next step<\/strong><\/h2>

Now, the next step in the project is to put the data into simulation models. What happens to carbon emissions, water impact, and biodiversity when a farmer takes steps towards regenerative agriculture? Would their yields and income increase or decrease? And if a farmer wants to reduce nitrogen, what is the best way to achieve that?<\/p>

The research team is developing two different scenarios: the first one is a ‘mild’ approach on regenerative agriculture, the second one is a more ambitious scenario. ‘In both cases, we want to be realistic’, Manshanden concludes. ‘Many conventional farmers are only just becoming acquainted with regenerative agriculture. If we say ‘you need to work without any fertilizer or pesticides’, we’d exclude a big group. We want to show it’s also possible to take smaller steps.’<\/p>

This summer, Mark Manshanden and his team are putting together the two scenarios. We will share more insights soon. By the end of 2025, the Regenomics model will be available for all European farmers. Stay tuned!<\/p>

Do you want to know more about the Regenomics project, or do you have a question for the WUR research team? Send an e-mail to Mark Manshanden (mark.manshanden@wur.nl), and we’ll get back to you soon.<\/em><\/p>" } , { "identifier": "element_751080", "type": "modularcontent", "gkn_frame": { "title": "About this project", "text": "Regenomics is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project, in which we aim to create a better understanding of the economic costs-benefits of the regenerative agriculture transition in Europe. We are doing this by developing ‘Regenomics’: a replicable cost-benefits framework to create scenarios for arable farms. In 2025, we are testing our model in 4 different EU regions: Picardie (France), Észak-Alföld (Hungary), Niedersachsen (Germany) and Dolnoslanskie (Poland). After that, it will become available for all European farmers.\r\nIn this project, Wageningen University and Research works together with four project partners: Cargill, Unilever Europe, Mars Pet Nutrition Europe and the European Landowners’ Organization. Since we’re working in different regions, various local partners are also involved: Agro-Transfert Ressources et Territoires (France), The Institute of Agricultural Economics (AKI) (Hungary), Kompetenzzentrum Ökolandbau Niedersachsen GmbH (Germany) and Agro Smart Lab with Dorota Łabanowska-Bury (Poland)." } } , { "type": "text", "html": "

<\/em><\/p>" } ] }, { "area": "sources", "title": "Bronnen", "elements": [ { "type": "text", "html": "

The Project<\/h2>" } , { "identifier": "element_788251", "type": "modularcontent", "gkn_link": { "linktext": "Regenomics: de kosten en baten van regeneratieve landbouw in beeld", "link_url": "", "link_intern": { "title": "Regenomics: de kosten en baten van regeneratieve landbouw in beeld", "url": "/nl/groenkennisnet/project/regenomics-de-kosten-en-baten-van-regeneratieve-landbouw-in-beeld" } } } , { "type": "text", "html": "

Learning Regenomics<\/h2>" } , { "identifier": "element_788252", "type": "modularcontent", "gkn_link": { "linktext": "Developing scenarios: Exploring the benefits and costs of regenerative agriculture: 'We expect our mild scenario to be viable on many farms'", "link_url": "", "link_intern": { "title": "Exploring the benefits and costs of regenerative agriculture: ‘We expect our mild scenario to be viable on many farms’", "url": "/nl/groenkennisnet/nieuwsitem/exploring-the-benefits-and-costs-of-regenerative-agriculture-we-expect-our-mild-scenario-to-be-viable-on-many-farms" } } } , { "identifier": "element_799062", "type": "modularcontent", "gkn_link": { "linktext": "Testing the simulation models: 'Towards conclusions on Regenomics: ‘Some practices that look straightforward in the model turn out to be more complex’'", "link_url": "", "link_intern": { "title": "Towards conclusions on Regenomics: ‘Some practices that look straightforward in the model turn out to be more complex’", "url": "/nl/groenkennisnet/nieuwsitem/towards-conclusions-on-regenomics-some-practices-that-look-straightforward-in-the-model-turn-out-to-be-more-complex" } } } , { "type": "text", "html": "

Stakeholder perspective<\/h2>" } , { "identifier": "element_751085", "type": "modularcontent", "gkn_link": { "linktext": "The farmers' perspective: How 'Regenomics' can help farmers accelerate the transition to regenerative agriculture", "link_url": "", "link_intern": { "title": "How ‘Regenomics’ can help farmers accelerate the transition to regenerative agriculture", "url": "/nl/groenkennisnet/nieuwsitem/how-regenomics-can-help-farmers-accelerate-the-transition-to-regenerative-agriculture" } } } , { "identifier": "element_788253", "type": "modularcontent", "gkn_link": { "linktext": "The landowners' perspective: 'Regenomics offers new economic insights for landowners'", "link_url": "", "link_intern": { "title": "‘Regenomics offers new economic insights for landowners’", "url": "/nl/groenkennisnet/nieuwsitem/regenomics-offers-new-economic-insights-for-landowners" } } } , { "identifier": "element_798812", "type": "modularcontent", "gkn_link": { "linktext": "The buyers/traders’ perspective: ‘Regenerative agriculture strengthens the resilience of our food supply chain’", "link_url": "", "link_intern": { "title": "‘Regenerative agriculture strengthens the resilience of our food supply chain’", "url": "/nl/groenkennisnet/nieuwsitem/regenerative-agriculture-strengthens-the-resilience-of-our-food-supply-chain" } } } ] }, { "area": "related", "title": "Gerelateerd", "elements": [ ] }, { "area": "content3", "title": "Overig", "elements": [ ] } ] }