What was the challenge/problem addressed?
Together with two fruit growers and two dairy farmers from the Kromme Rijn, CLM started the POP project Working together on the Kromme Rijn nutrient cycle in 2017. The aim is to reduce the use of input from elsewhere, like artificial fertilizer, and to close nutrient-cycles locally. During this project we are looking into the possibility of using locally available nutrients in the region, as excess manure is exported by dairy farmers and fruit growers import artificial fertilizer into the region. We started out with a group of four entrepreneurs and expanded the group each year, where possible also outside agriculture. As of 2020, we are a group of 20.
What are the success factors in solving the problem?
Personal connection to members, reciprocity, mutual benefit
What were the main challenges during the innovation process?
creating awareness of mutual benefit, finding ways to show mutual benefit
What role does the advisor or advisory service play with the practical case?
Knowledge awareness and exchange, Networking facilitation and brokerage, to help organize or strengthen networks, improve the relationships between key actors and to align services in order to be able to complement each other, Facilitating access to new networks and actors
For sharing experience of the practical case, please contact
Dirk Keuper
dkeuper@clm.nl, 0031-345-720-729