Circular Agriculture Research

Professor Gjalt de Jong and dr. Niels Faber from our Centre of Sustainable Entrepreneurship have joint forces with researchers from Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and stakeholders from the Northern Netherlands. The objective of this collaboration is to translate the principles of circular agriculture to challenging future scenarios and action perspectives for the region, in the coming four years. ‘Northern Netherlands as regional demonstrator of circular agriculture: that would be a magnificent result’, according to project leader Imke de Boer (WUR).

Circular agriculture as sustainable future to the food system of the Netherlands

Many parties in the Netherlands have embraced the principles of sustainable agriculture. But, what does this mean in practice, for instance in a region such as the Northern Netherlands (provinces Fryslân, Groningen, and Drenthe)? Could we develop a shared circular agricultural vision that builds on the many, existing initiatives and translate these to real action perspectives for all actors in the food system? These are the leading questions of the CAN-DO-IT project (Circular Agriculture in Northern-Netherlands: Daring scenarios and Interlinked Transformation).

Integral analysis

The project brings together an interdisciplinary team with expertise on production of vegetables and animals, public administration, management science, and economics. This enables the integral analysis of the consequences of future scenarios for agriculture, nature and environment, and social-economic themes such as self-sufficiency, or local employment.

Small wins as seeds for transition

Together the parties will develop and test innovative action perspectives. Perspectives that contribute to the realization of the future scenarios. These will build on so-called ‘small wins’ in the region. These are small-scale yet radical initiatives in the food system towards circular agriculture, bringing forth tangible results for those involved. These small wins are the seed for societal transition. Profound analyses lead to knowledge to accelerate the pace of and deepen the transition towards circular agriculture. This way this project contributes to the further development of circular agriculture in the Northern Netherlands. ‘This research program helps us to understand all aspects of circular agriculture’, according to Prof. dr. Gjalt de Jong, project partner on behalf of RUG/Campus Fryslân. ‘All northern provinces, especially agricultural Fryslân, are searching for the best ways to accelerate the transition towards circular agriculture. The collaboration with WUR and all partners, provides a unique opportunity to realize.’