Project type:
Praktijkcentra plant
Duration:
01/07/2021 - 31/12/2023
Partners:
Praktijkcentra Plant: Proefcentrum voor Sierteelt (PCS), Inagro, Interprovinciaal Proefcentrum voor de Aardappelteelt (PCA), Koninklijk Belgisch Instituut tot Verbetering van de Biet vzw (KBIVB), Landbouwcentrum Granen Vlaanderen (LCG vzw), Landbouwcentrum voor voedergewassen vzw (LCV), Praktijkpunt Landbouw Vlaams-Brabant, Proefcentrum Fruitteelt (Pcfruit), Proefcentrum Hoogstraten (PCH), Proefstation voor de Groenteteelt (PSKW), Provinciaal Proefcentrum voor de Groenteteelt Oost-Vlaanderen (PCG), Vlaams Centrum voor Bewaring van Tuinbouwproducten (VCBT)
A smart combination of crop choice and technology for profitable climate-robust agriculture and horticulture
In recent years, we have increasingly had to deal with extreme climate conditions, such as prolonged droughts and heat waves during the growing season, periods of frost in late spring, and heavy rainfall,… which has a clear economic impact on agriculture and horticulture. During dry and hot periods, the demand for water from agriculture and horticulture increases, but the falling groundwater level also reduces the moisture content in the soil. In addition, during dry periods, government restrictions are often imposed on water use. When precipitation shortages occur, this translates into reduced production, lower quality, partial loss of harvest, or higher production costs due to irrigation and control of stress-related diseases and pests that are becoming more and more prevalent. At the same time, agriculture is one of many actors competing for water in our arid region. Indeed, access to sufficient quality water is essential in the production process, and farms perceive water shortages as a real threat to their economic activity.
Through an intelligent combination of cultivation choices and techniques, Flemish agriculture and horticulture become more climate-robust and less sensitive to extremes caused by the rapidly evolving climate, and the companies’ future is guaranteed. The first step is to ensure more water is retained in the soil. Good soil care and moisture supply to crops are part of the solution. Second, one can focus on crops that are more tolerant of heat and drought stress or on new or revived crops that increase the climate resilience of the sector. Finally, as a third angle, one can also ensure that the available water is used rationally and as efficiently as possible. Finally, monitoring and controlling new emerging and modified pests in different cultivation groups is also part of the solution.
All Flemish Practice Centers Plant work together in this project to optimize the knowledge building, transfer to an intelligent combination of cultivation choice and cultivation technique, and reach as many farmers and horticulturists as possible. The project is part of the Relance plan ‘Flemish Resilience’ and the ‘Blue Deal’ and is coordinated by the Ornamental Horticulture Research Center.
