Farmers can apply for subsidies to invest in clean and enough water
Starting Monday, September 13, at 10:00 a.m., farmers can apply for a one-time (investment) grant for measures that improve the quality of surface water or promote water retention on agricultural land. Applications can be submitted via www.dawnoordnederland.nl.
The subsidy program under the LTO Noord project “Implementation Incentive for Water and Soil Quality” was officially launched on Friday, September 10. The launch took place during a farm visit to organic dairy farmers Erik and Marjan van der Velde in Niehove. This family-run farm is dedicated to sustainable agriculture, with a strong focus on soil and water quality.
Investments in water and soil quality
Noorderzijlvest Water Authority , in collaboration with the province of Groningen, Noorderzijlvest Water Authority over 1 million euros in grants available to farmers so they can invest in improving surface water quality and soil quality. As part of this project, grants are also available to at least 120 farmers who invest in materials, machinery, or soil improvement. These investments will result in:
- Healthier and more fertile soil (e.g., by increasing organic matter, improving soil structure, or using non-inversion tillage);
- Precision agriculture (including GPS technology, soil scanning);
- Improved water management (including through the use of water-level-controlled drainage or small weirs);
- Reduced runoff from farmland (through the installation of wastewater treatment systems or the collection of juices from roughage storage);
- Reduced runoff of pesticides (including through investments in spraying techniques that prevent the drift of pesticides).
enrol the grant program
enrol the subsidy program will open on Monday, September 13, at 10:00 a.m. via the website www.dawnoordnederland.nl.
Who is it for?
The subsidy program is intended for crop farmers and/or dairy farmers in the Groningen portion of the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority region . There is room for 120 participants. For all physical measures—with the exception of farm layout measures and/or wastewater treatment systems—a one-time subsidy of up to 40% may be requested, up to a maximum of €10,000 per farm.
There is also the option of an individual farm visit if needed. Herb-rich pasture “The past few years have been challenging for us, with three dry summers, torrential rains, and damage caused by mice,” says dairy farmer Erik van der Velde. “The herb-rich grassland helped us get through the drought, because that section yielded twice as much as the old grassland during the dry period. Investing in healthier and more fertile soil has therefore helped us a great deal.”
“With the new subsidy program, we aim to ensure even better soil and water quality.” “Agricultural water management is something we need to tackle and develop together,” says Annette van Velde, director at water authority . “It really helps us deal with too much or too little water. After all, we’re seeing extreme conditions—whether too wet or too dry—more and more often. Let’s not forget that agricultural water management also yields better results for farms. So it’s a win-win.”
Background
The “Implementation Incentive for Water and Soil Quality” project aligns with the objectives of the Delta Plan for Agricultural Water Management (DAW) and focuses on reducing the leaching of pesticides and nutrients into groundwater and surface water. The project contributes to improving the quality of surface water and groundwater. In addition, the project aims to have a positive impact on water availability by promoting more conscious management of the soil, soil structure, and organic matter content. This allows agricultural land to retain water more effectively. LTO Noord is responsible for implementing the project. The regional coordinator from LTO Noord will advise farmers on consolidating their wishes, plans, and measures.
Collaboration
The subsidy program stems from agreements set forth in the national Delta Plan for Agricultural Water Management. Under this plan, provinces, water boards, LTO Noord, and agricultural cooperatives work closely together to achieve the goals of the government and the farmers participating in this programme. This broad collaboration plays a key role in the success of the projects.