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Skylark Sustainable Agriculture A Wonderful Challenge
Skylark
Sustainable Agriculture
A Wonderful Challenge
Skylark Foundation Cooperation between farmers, buyers and processors. Sustainability is making connections Producer, consumer and society
Initiative Heineken International • Ten farmers with hiring agricultural special services
– Development of a Bottum Up approach – Learning from each other about sustainability
– Friends in rotation
• Heineken Barley • Suiker Unie Beet • Unilever Carrots • McCain Potatoes • Van Liere Onions
Our objectives • Promoting the sustainable production of agricultural products.
• Facilitate the establishment of sustainable supply chains.
• Restoring the social context between producer and consumer.
Our mission: • The Skylark system is in 2015 THE system for sustainable
agriculture in the Netherlands and ……………..
Farmers have key role Continuous improvement on farm level [ bottom up ] Involves whole crop rotation Ten indicators for improvement Sustainability plan Region groupes
Industry supports Transparency in the supply chains [ top down ] Same approach for all crops [ Friends in Rotation ] Instruments and tools for farmers Consultants sustainable arable
farming Experts and workshops
Skylark method: Key elements
Skylark method:
Farmer with vision on how to
make his own farm more sustainable
Goals
Plan
Actions
Results
Farmer with vision on how to
make his own farm more sustainable
Goals
Plan
Actions
Results
Farmer with vision on how to
make his own farm more sustainable
Goals
Plan
Actions
Results
Farmer with vision on how to
make his own farm more sustainable
Goals
Plan
Actions
Results
Farmer with vision on how to
make his own farm more sustainable
Goals
Plan
Actions
Results
Farmer with vision on how to
make his own farm more sustainable
Goals
Plan
Actions
Results
Farmer with vision on how to
make his own farm more sustainable
Goals
Plan
Actions
Results
Farmer with vision on how to
make his own farm more sustainable
Goals
Plan
Actions
ResultsFarmer with
vision on how to make his own
farm more sustainable
Goals
Plan
Actions
Results
Farmer with vision on how to
make his own farm more sustainable
Goals
Plan
Actions
Results
Farmer with vision on how to
make his own farm more sustainable
Goals
Plan
Actions
Results
Sustainability consultant
Experts Workshops
Training CAH DUAS
Instruments Yardsticks
Region coordinator
Product value Human capital Local economy
Biodiversity
Nutrients Crop protection
Energy Water
Soil fertility
Soil loss
Sustainability plan
Input / costs Output / profit
Basis/ continuity
Skylark method: Sustainability Plan & 10 indicators
Farmer with vision on how to
make his own farm sustainable
Goals
Plan
Actions
Results
Skylark developed together with CAH Vilentum a special training for agriculture advisors.
The Skylark Sustainability Consultant The Skylark sustainability consultant supports the farmer to improve his farming system by an annual interview. 1. Discussing the ten indicators 2. Developing a vision 3. Appointing actions 4. Examines the effect
• The regiongroup – Meets 8 times a year
• Fixed day – The farmer discusses his sustainability plan with the group
• Sharing knowledge and experiences – Exploring new knowledge (demand driven by the group)
• Skylark partners contribute their knowledge – Process management by region coordinator
• Being open, honoust and critical to each other
Facilitate the establishment of sustainable supply chains. Collaboration: Primary sector, processors and retail
Flevoland Flevoland Nederland
2003- 2005 2006 - 2010 2011 - 2014
Project Veldleeuwerik Stichting Veldleeuwerik
development application upscaling
Ten Farmers
Fifty farmers
Hundreds Farmers
Skylark Netherlands in action in 2012
More than 1000 actions in 2012 Indicators No of actions For instance Soil fertility 400 Crop rotation widen to 1 in 6 years potatoes with more onions
Apply solid manure Soil loss 17 No tillage
Applying pulp for mulching Product value 196 Partnership with dairy farmer
Growing new crops Nutrients 177 Supply phosphate into the row
Sowing green manure Crop protection 172 GPS based techniques
Phytobac Water 66 Collect rainwater for spraying chemicals
Between drainage Energy 142 Installation of solar panels
Energy registration in warehouse Biodiversity 51 Gaining knowledge about plant protection effect on soillife
Natural field margins Human capital 52 Partnership with potential successor
Training permanent workers Local economy 14 Expand home sales
Receiving students at the farm
Regional groups have looked at many subjects....
But of course also other subject such as…..
Fertilization
Soil cultivation
Spraying techniques
Interception of spraying and cleaning liquids (reduction of pesticide emission)
Much attention to cover grops
Farmers working with innovations Hot water- treatment
Coloured carrots
Shared knowledge leads to shared inspiration
Together towards a sustainable healthy future
Thanks for your attention
