Press release Seeding drone, weeding robot and eager-to-learn farmers at 5th agroecology field demonstration

The only place in Flanders where agroecology is experimented with on a large scale held its fifth annual field demonstration. Hundreds of farmers and interested parties went to Hansbeke near Deinze to attend demos with sowing drone, robot, soil-sparing machines, new crops and sowing techniques by researchers at ILVO. Interest in this form of nature-inclusive agriculture is growing among farmers.

A first: sowing drone

Every summer a demonstration takes place at the Proefplatform Agro-ecologie Hansbeke where the results of the trials and crop yields are explained to farmers, advisors and policy makers. At the same time, innovative techniques and machines are demonstrated. A first for Flanders is on the program this year: a drone will sow winter rye. The demonstration is only possible because of a collaboration with Agriflight, which was the first company in Flanders to receive permission to sow and fertilize with drones.

Jonathan Van Beek, ILVO researcher: "By seeding with a drone, we reduce the pressure on the soil and reduce the period that plots of land remain fallow. This ensures weed inhibition and early germination without disturbing the soil."

Strips of field bean, pea, red kidney bean and grains

Still notable is a trial of legumes and grains in strip cropping. Field bean, pea and red kidney bean were sown in narrow strips alongside durum wheat (for pasta), baking wheat and malting barley (for beer). ILVO is studying the effect of this crop richness on the spread and presence of diseases and pests in the plot. The effect of a crop rotation legumes-for-grains on nitrogen availability in the field is also being monitored.

Inge Speeckaert, ILVO researcher: "It is still too early for conclusions during this second trial year, but we do see that strip cropping has a lot to offer. For example, the presence of flowering legumes attracts more pollinators to the plot, while natural enemies of the bean aphid, among others, find their home in the cereals."

Ancient baking grains

The trial of mixed corn-climbing bean cultivation is also attracting interest, as are the plots of buckwheat, mixed grass-clover with herbs and the ancient baking grains successfully cultivated by organic farmer Felix de Bousies, owner of the estate. To market his baking grains, the farmer works with local bakers and millers in a principle of shared risk. He receives a price per hectare rather than per ton for his grains and can therefore bet on quality rather than quantity. He also does not use (artificial) fertilizer and crop protection, which saves on costs. As a result, he has a net gain on his grains while working on his soil fertility.

ILVO's Living Lab for Agroecology and Organic Agriculture just released a new (Dutch-language) booklet on samenwerking in eerlijke voedselketens.

Weeding robot and farm composting

An important principle in agroecology is to stimulate soil life by bringing lots of variety to crops but also by working the soil less and using as little chemistry as possible. This is why the demo day traditionally focuses on machines that offer alternatives to plowing and spraying. This year's demonstrations include a robot that weeds completely autonomously and a special harrow that tears up grassland close to the surface.

Another fixture on the demo day are sessions on farm composting. This involves working with other companies and nature managers to process crop residues, prunings and grass clippings, as well as farmyard manure. This year, ILVO expert Koen Willekens presented a lecture on fertilization in general. Other lectures are about agroforestry (combining crops or livestock with trees), profitable buckwheat growing and cooperation in local chains.

Policy advice with 11 recommendations

ILVO formulated 11 recommendations for Flemish policy makers to support agroecology. The recommendations come from recent scientific socio-economic research and are bundled in a new publication 'Opportunities and obstacles for agroecology in the Flemish food system'. Investing in learning networks and specialized advisory services is one of the recommendations. The success of the annual demo day in Hansbeke confirms that need.

Trial platform 5 years old

Five years ago, ILVO, together with organic farmer Felix de Bousies and consultant Alain Peeters, founded the 50-hectare Agroecology Experiment Platform Hansbeke, the first and only one of this size in Flanders. ILVO advises Felix de Bousies in his cultivation choices while monitoring the impact on soil health. Scientific field trials and demos on farm composting take place annually.

More info

Over agro-ecologie: ilvo.vlaanderen.be/nl/dossiers/agro-ecologie

Contact

Nele Jacobs, spokesperson for ILVO, nele.jacobs@ilvo.vlaanderen.be

Koen Willekens, coordinator of the Proefplatform Agro-ecologie Hansbeke: koen.willekens@ilvo.vlaanderen.be

Dylan Feyaerts, demonstration coordinator: dylan.feyaerts@ilvo.vlaanderen.be