Trees, hedgerows, ditches, and ponds – these are all landscape elements that positively contribute to biodiversity and water quality on agricultural land. And as an added benefit, they help make agricultural businesses future-proof. In 2024, funding was made available for farmers in the context of the Common Agricultural Policy to invest in such landscape elements. The assessment has now been completed, and farmers can start with the implementation this year.

We now know an incredible number of guidelines and tasks that can play a role in the management of agricultural areas. From the European Bird Directive and Habitat Directive (VHR) to the Water Framework Directive (WFD). And what about the Landscape Action Plan, which aims for ten percent of the rural area to be managed with landscape elements by 2050?

Within the many frameworks that farmers must adhere to, opportunities also arise. Opportunities to improve biodiversity and water quality on their own land, and thus automatically the quality of their business operations. With the subsidy Investments in biodiversity and water quality on agricultural businesses, those opportunities can be realized.

Surprising Interest

At the end of last year, the funding application period closed with impressively high interest from farmers. The province has increased the budget to honor all positively assessed applications.

Nature-Friendly Banks

Subsidies have mainly been requested for the construction of nature-friendly banks. These are contiguous banks along a watercourse, covered with native (water) plants. The bank takes the form of a pond or marsh bank, or a gentle slope. This variation is ideal for plants and animals, both above and below water!

Want to know more?

Check out the provinces social media channels for stories from farmers about the construction of nature-friendly banks and their experiences with this subsidy.