tpo_dossier_action-plan-for-innovation-and-learning_201406

182.3CONTACT:MERIJN BOSM.BOS@LOUISBOLK.NLWEBSITE:WWW.BLOEIENDBEDRIJF.NLFLOURISHING FARM: PARTICIPATORYINNOVATIONS IN AGRICULTURE AND NATURECONSERVATION (THE NETHERLANDS)Biodiversity plays key roles in sustainable agriculture.Within the collaborative project “Bloeiend Bedrijf”(“Flourishing Farm”), hundreds of farmers are workingtogether to increase beneficial biodiversity and collaboratewith scientists in developing flower-rich field margins fornatural enemies (beneficial insects) of crop pests. They aresupported by local organisations for agricultural landscapeand nature management, nationally coordinated by theLouis Bolk Institute and Veelzijdig Boerenland, and regionallyby over 30 organisations. The farmers have created over1200 kilometres of flowering field margins in 2013, and thenumber of participating farmers has grown from 300 in2011 to over 570 in 2013.Bloeiend Bedrijf is an example of participatoryinnovations in operational groups. In close interactions,farmers and scientists implement scientific knowledge intoinnovations for sustainable crop protection. The Louis BolkInstitute provides expertise and support, and organizesfield demonstrations and field group discussions togetherwith organisations for agricultural landscape and naturemanagement. The project has support from the Dutchministry of Economic Affairs and the European AgriculturalFund for Rural Development until 2015.Efficient knowledge exchange leadingto participatory innovationsFrom 2011 to 2013, more than 200 field meetings wereorganized throughout the growing season, drawingmany hundreds of interested farmers. The main objectiveis to exchange knowledge and experiences – about howto create and manage wild flower field margins, how toidentify and increase beneficial biodiversity, and how totranslate that into sustainable agricultural practice.“Flourishing Farm” is strongly participative: innovationsare developed as a result of interactions between farmersand scientists. First, farmers acquire new knowledge duringthe many field demonstrations and discussion groups. Theystudy and discuss beneficial biodiversity and the possibilitiesfor more sustainable use of insecticides. The Louis BolkInstitute also shares results from international scientificresearch. Second, based on their own knowledge andobservations they start practicing with more sustainablecrop protection. Third, these are followed by groupevaluations that allow them to exchange experienceswith colleagues and scientists. The Louis Bolk Institute alsoconducts on-farm monitoring of beneficial biodiversityand management practices. Finally, the results are used inannual feedback to the farmers.Measurable resultsBy working in participatory collectives, innovationsdevelop rapidly. Because farmers participate in theinnovations, it is more likely that these are applied andindeed result in more sustainable practice. In 2012 67% ofthe participating potato and cereal growers reduced theirinsecticide use in the crops adjacent to the flower-rich fieldmargins. 40% did not even use any insecticide in the cropsalong the flower-rich margins.