120th farmer invests in clean and sufficient water

Subsidy scheme

Project leader Tjeerd Hoekstra of LTO Noord is pleased with all the applications. "Farmers want to get started on improving the water and soil quality on their farms, as you can see from the number of applications. This subsidy measure helps them to make (expensive) investments." One of the arable farmers who has applied for a subsidy is Derk Gesink. "Thanks to this subsidy scheme, it does become financially interesting for me to invest. Such an investment comes with a hefty price tag. This scheme reimburses part of that cost."

Number 120

Gesink from Mensingeweer is participant number 120 and is therefore the last to sign up for now. The subsidy scheme offers farmers a contribution towards the costs of improving water and soil quality. Gesink has not yet decided how he will invest. "I see several possibilities that I can apply to my business. I am unsure whether to invest in a rinsing area for the field sprayer or a hoeing machine, a machine that mechanically removes weeds."

There are many roads that lead to Rome.

Gesink now has considerable experience with mechanical weed control. "Two years ago, I joined a group of farmers in experimenting with removing weeds using a machine instead of crop protection products. From my own experience, I can say that mechanical weed control does not deliver the same results as chemical weed control. Nevertheless, I see advantages in using this machine for my crops and soil." The other option for Gesink's business is to construct a liquid-tight washing and rinsing area, which will reduce runoff on the farmyard. "An advisor will be visiting me soon to see which measure would be best for me to implement. I am curious to hear his advice," says Gesink.

Registration is still open

Arable farmers and dairy farmers from the Noorderzijlvest water board area in Groningen can still participate in the subsidy scheme. "If these 120 participants do not use the maximum amount they are allowed to apply for, there will be money left over for other participants," explains Tjeerd Hoekstra. It is expected that there will be budget left over for (part of) the waiting list. For more information, please visitwww.dawnoordnederland.nl.

Collaboration

The Noorderzijlvest Water Authority, together with the province of Groningen, is making more than €1 million in subsidies available to farmers so that they can invest in measures to improve the quality of surface water and soil. LTO Noord is responsible for implementing the project.

Delta Plan for Agricultural Water Management

The subsidy scheme 'implementation incentive for soil and water quality' is part of the Delta Plan for Agricultural Water Management. The DAW is an initiative of LTO Netherlands.  Together with the Union of Water Boards, the DAW is working on water challenges in agricultural areas. The DAW does this by, among other things, encouraging knowledge sharing through projects and cooperation between water boards and farmers.