Project

Mixed cropping systems for sustainable agriculture

CropMix aims to facilitate the transition to more sustainable agri-food production ecosystems based on the ecological principle of (crop) diversity. Such transition requires changes in technology, knowledge, and regulations. Therefore, the CropMix project comprise of researchers from various disciplines (ecology, economics, social sciences), but also agri-food chain actors; governmental, nature and financial organizations; and education partners who contribute in accelerating the transition to more sustainable agri-food production. Central to the research programme, are the 25 arable farms who currently use strip cropping activities.

Within this project the ORL group aim to quantify the potential of mixed cropping production systems to improve economic, environmental, ecological and social sustainability of agricultural production chains in the Netherlands.

In the CropMix project, we contribute mainly through the research of three PhD projects:

The first PhD project aims to explore the potential of mixed cropping activities to improve sustainability and promote biodiversity at landscape level. The outcomes will contribute to identify the conditions in which mixed cropping systems would result in improved environmental, ecological and economic performance. The trade-offs between different sustainability indicators are quantified with landscape bio-economic models.

The second PhD project aims to assess the impact of social norms on the adoption of more sustainable technologies by farmers. Landscape bio-economic models are extended to account for social norms that affect the decision making of farmers. The results of this project will provide policy insights for designing effective agricultural and environmental policies that will improve the adoption of sustainable technologies by farmers.

The third PhD project is a collaboration between the ORl group of WUR and the Operations Planning Accounting & Control group of TUE. In this PhD project we aim to optimize distribution network decisions of mixed-cropping-based supply chains. Questions related to where and how to (pre) process and store; what is the best market channel for mixed cropping supply chains; and how to distribute smaller batches of multiple crops will be evaluated using advance optimization techniques.

Contact person dr. A (Argyris) Kanellopoulos

Contact

Project information

Designing mixed cropping systems and transition paths towards sustainable ecology based agriculture (CropMix)

Project code:: NWA.1389.20.160
Status:: In progress
Start project:: Jan 1, 2023
End project:: Dec 31, 2027

Client(s):: NWO

Partners

HAS Green Academy, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam/Athena Instituut, Louis Bolk Instituut, Aeres University of Applied Sciences, TU Eindhoven, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Avans University of Applied Sciences, Ministerie van Landbouw, Natuur en Voedselkwaliteit, Provincie Flevoland, Provincie Gelderland, Provincie Noord-Brabant, Triodos Bank en Foundation, Agrifirm, Artemis, Plantum, Vitalis, Bejo Zaden, Farm Frites International BV, BASF, Koppert, Protix, Bakker Barendrecht, Bbrood, Vlinderstichting, Natuurmonumenten, Ravon, Task Force Korte Keten, Hippybees, CIV Groen, Albert Heijn, AVVN, Rabobank, Vogelbescherming, LTO, en de akkerbouwbedrijven: Hoeve Steenenis, Boer en Buurt, Herenboeren Wilhelminapark, Proeftuin Van Pallandtpolder, ERF B.V., Landgoed Zuylestein, Landgoed Velhorst, Zenderense Es, Janmiekeshoeve, Nieuw Udengast, EET-Wageningen, Flevo Landschap, Hof van Heden, Loverendale, Kloosterplaats, Hoalderkamp, De Watertuin, De Bijenhof, VOF Bos, Ekoto, Huiberts Biologische Bloembollen, De Dennenhoeve, Beleef het en Eet het, BI-JOVIRA, Zonnegoed.