The agricultural sector is in a state of flux. The themes of energy and climate have increasingly come into focus within agriculture in recent years. But what sustainability trends do we see now and expect in the future?
Circular agriculture
Dutch agricultural policy used to be based on efficiently producing as much food as possible at a low price with a reasonable income for the farmer. A change in direction is now noticeable. Efficient production remains necessary, but the concept of efficiency must be interpreted more broadly. Not just economically, but also ecologically efficient: making smarter use of natural processes and using raw materials more sparingly.
Closed-loop agriculture aims at good yields and economical use of raw materials and energy, as well as the least possible impact on climate, environment and nature. An example of a closed, small cycle is an arable farmer producing beet as fodder for an adjacent livestock farmer. The livestock farmer‘s manure goes back to the arable farmer. Residual flows, such as leaves and stems, can also be used as fodder or soil improver. This in turn reduces the need for artificial fertilisers.
Stable innovations
We are seeing more and more barn innovations that tackle emissions at source. To realise the ambition of climate neutrality in 2030, concepts are needed that fit animal-friendly livestock farming and the wishes of the market and consumers. Think low-emission stall systems, air scrubbers and compartmentalisation to make stalls fully sustainable, including solar panels on the roof. Currently, only 30% of pig houses are sustainable. In the Climate Agreement, a lot of money has been made available for new stall systems for existing and new stalls. This is realised with subsidy schemes for further sustainability of pig farming.
Meat substitutes
The ING recently presented figures showing that the European market for meat and dairy substitutes will grow by 10 per cent annually to €7.5 billion by 2025. This growth forecast translates into an investment spurt in the food industry.
Sweden’s Oatly, which already has a plant in Vlissingen, raised 175 million euros from investors to expand production of oat drinks and related products in 2020. ADM Europoort is also converting a soybean mill in Rotterdam for animal feed into a plant for the extraction of vegetable proteins. The reason for this is that, according to ADM Europoort, 56 per cent of consumers worldwide are trying to add more plant-based food sources to their daily menu. This trend is driven by growing awareness about the impact of food production on the environment and available space.
Renewable energy production
The agricultural sector is at the forefront of sustainable energy production. Over 45% of energy use in the primarily agricultural sectors is already sustainably generated by the sector itself, mainly with wind and biomass. There is great potential for sustainable energy production in rural areas. The increasing demand for local electricity and gas offers farmers and horticulturists plenty of opportunities as suppliers of sustainable energy.
