On 1 July 2021, the demo project 'Non-productive investments: Worth the investment!' was launched. As part of this project, we want to create more awareness around VLIF support for non-productive investments and sensitise fruit growers and farmers to this. Measures to promote biodiversity (hedges, wood edges, nesting boxes, bee hotels, etc.), erosion reduction (dams) and improved water management/better water quality (level-controlled drainage, weirs, etc.) are among the topics discussed.
To convince fruit growers/farmers to engage in non-productive investments, we are looking for fruit growers/farmers who are already working on non-productive investments. Together with these 'model farms', we will examine which preconditions need to be met to make the non-productive investment a success. A strength-weakness analysis (SWOT analysis) and a cost analysis (e.g. for maintenance of hedges and wood edges) are also carried out. The result is poured into a digitally available brochure with tips and tricks for growers who want to get started with non-productive investments.
We will organise 10 demonstration activities in 2022, where the farmer/fruit growers of the sample farms will share their knowledge and experiences on one or more non-productive investments with the visiting farmers. Furthermore, for three measures, we will set up a limited pilot scheme in 2022, which we will follow up. The aim is to gather more info on the benefits of a particular measure. Fruit growers/farmers who are interested in applying for VLIF support can also contact the project partners during the course of the project for advice on e.g. the choice of species for a hedge/wood edging, construction of level-controlled drainage, ...
