Maximize your crop profits with innovative and sustainable applications

Vierknown value of innovative crops, making chains more sustainable from raw material to end product, soil improvement through the use of crops with additional added value for the grower. For many agricultural entrepreneurs, these terms sound like a long way off. But the principle is quite simple: use as many parts of the plant as possible in innovative and sustainable applications to boost the crop's balance.

"It's actually quite simple. The more parts of a plant you use, the more this plant is worth," clarified Susanne Görtz, chief executive at the Limburg Land and Horticulture Association (LLTB). "When the same crop then also contributes to a healthy soil, it is clear: here could be a new earning model for the vegetable sector."

Strandle nettle juice

For example, in the cultivation of nettles. "Among other things, it is being investigated to what extent nettle juice can be used as a biological crop protection agent. A biocomposite can be made from the fibers of the plants. By combining both applications, you get a higher value for your crop," Görtz appoints.

Within the Plants 4 Plants project, the LLTB, in cooperation with a large diversity of partners, makes the possibilities of adding value to these crops, including residual flows, tangible. "In the Netherlands, it is currently still very complex to start up and expand new chains on the basis of innovative crops," says Görtz. "While the demand for biomass components as an alternative raw material is increasing. This could be a stimulus for further development."

Proteins

Proteins, for example, were difficult to make profitable in the past. In the future, this may be much easier if any residual streams from cultivation can be put to value in other sectors. "The increase in sustainability of society and the search by companies for alternative raw materials can create new opportunities for agriculture and horticulture in adding value to their crops. New forms of cooperation are necessary for this though," Görtz emphasizes.

Innovation Days

In order to give a first impression of developments, results and concrete examples of such new connections, Plants 4 Plants will be highlighted during the Compas-Agro Innovation Days. The innovation days inspire growers to discover new opportunities and possibilities and actually set to work with these themselves, or in cooperation with the project consortium. Participants get an explanation of the project and a demonstration of promising new crops such as nettles, myscanthus, sorghum and field bean, with their sustainable applications.

More about Plants 4 Plants? Check out here.