BO Akkerbouw, together with other parties, took up the challenge in corona year 2020 to seek solutions for the challenges faced by the arable farming sector.
This is stated in the digital Annual Report 2020 that BO Arable farming sector organization will publish this week. The organization emphasizes that a strong chain approach has never been more important than in the past year. The arable sector not only had to deal with the direct consequences of the corona crisis, the problems surrounding PFAS and sprout inhibition also required a quick and adequate approach.
‘As has been shown time and again, solutions are only possible with good cooperation in the chain’, says André Hoogendijk, director of BO Akkerbouw. ‘Climate, soil, crop protection and biodiversity are all chain issues for the sector. Together with our members and with an eye for the great diversity among arable farmers, BO Arable farming sector organization proved last year that it can make a difference for the sector.’
Surplus of 1 billion kilos
In the annual report, BO Akkerbouw looks back, among other things, at the consequences of the corona crisis for the potato sector, which was struggling with a surplus of 1 billion kilos. BO Akkerbouw conducted consultations in the chain and with the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. This ultimately resulted in a compensation scheme worth 50 million euros within fifty days. In the end, 1,200 growers made use of it.
Arable farmers also had to deal with the ban on the use of chlorpropham. BO Akkerbouw, together with the members involved, realized a temporary Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) with Taskforce Germ Reduction. Good communication in the chain ensured this successful approach. This is workable for potato growers.
The PFAS problem that arose at the end of 2019 affected the entire arable farming chain. BO Arable farming sector organization has taken the lead, as a result of which the standard has been expanded in two steps in 2020. This gives the sector sufficient space to return tare soil to the fields.
Quadruple of arable farming contribution
BO Akkerbouw invested a total of 1.9 million euros in four new projects. Thanks to contributions from other parties and a doubling by the top sector, the total value of the projects is more than 8 million euros. A more than fourfold increase in the contribution of arable farmers.
Finally, BO Arable farming sector organization reports that the NAJK has been an official member from October. This gives the youth organization a full-fledged position in the general meeting of members and the board. The members of BO Akkerbouw are now Agrifirm, Avebe, Cosun, CZAV, The Committee of Grain Traders, LTO Nederland, NAJK, NAO, NAV, Plantum, Van Iperen and Vavi.
BO Arable farming
BO Akkerbouw is the branch organization for Dutch arable farming. The sector organization has the ambition to be the central platform and knowledge center for the arable farming chains (also read our vision ). The organization provides one powerful voice for Dutch arable farming, promotes the sector’s ambitions and comes up with solutions for collective issues. The pillars:
- A Research and Innovation program that focuses on sector-wide research topics. An overview of the current projects can be found in the brochure “Projects 2020” .
- Independent market and price information
- Facilitating the Arable Farming Certification Consultation, which is the manager of the Food and Feed Safety Arable Farming ( VVAK ) scheme.
- Reinforcing the image of arable farming and setting up activities related to sector communication: Week of Agriculture.
- Execution of secretariat and policy tasks for partners in the arable farming chain.
BO Akkerbouw has a board and various sections and working groups to realize its ambitions. View the composition of the various organs and read more information.
