Research project Sustainability scan as a first step towards more sustainable pig and broiler chick production

General introduction

How can we advise pork and broiler farmers to make their farms more sustainable, taking into account the trade-offs for other parameters? The aim is to achieve this by making a sustainability scan, which can indicate how an individual farm can improve social, ecological as well as economic sustainability. The result of the scan is thus a proposal of well-chosen possible measures at farm level. In addition to farm-specific support, this project also aims to provide new insights into general points of interest towards sustainable production in the entire pork and broiler sector.

Research approach

We develop a scientifically based sustainability scan consisting of a sustainability analysis, benchmark module and list of improvement paths specific to the farm. The scan will be drawn up in close consultation with the sector. In a test phase with 10 farms per animal species and a validation phase with 30 farms per animal species, we evaluate and optimize the scan so that the successful implementation of the sustainability scan can take place in practice. We stimulate the adoption of the scan by supporting farmers and the sector during and after the project through consultation, working out valorization trajectories, sharing knowledge and disseminating informatio within the sector.

Relevance/Valorization

Individual farmers who want to perform more sustainably can use this tool for a variety of uses: for example, to improve economic returns, to comply with environmental legislation, to make well-considered choices for certain investments, and to differentiate themselves in terms of sustainability. By involving the sector from the start of the project and by providing constant feedback to evaluate and refine the sustainability analysis and improvement paths, we expect rapid adoption by pig and broiler farmers.

Financing

VLAIO