Theme
Regenerative agriculture & sustainability
Visit the Netherlands to experience Regenerative Agriculture in Practice
Practical, measurable, and scalable innovation
The Netherlands is moving beyond high-yield farming towards regenerative and nature-inclusive agriculture, exploring farming systems that rebuild soil health, strengthen biodiversity and improve water quality. Farmers, researchers and companies work on systems that rebuild soil health, strengthen biodiversity and improve water quality, while keeping farms economically viable.
What makes the Dutch transition relevant for international visitors is the context: limited land, high land prices, intensive production systems, and complex regulations. That pressure drives innovation to be practical, measurable, and scalable.
From mitigation to regenerative systems
Across arable and dairy regions, research institutes such as Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and Utrecht University, farmers and value-chain partners link on-farm practices to data, indicators and business models, to develop science-based approaches suited to Dutch conditions.
What you’ll see on the ground
Regenerative agriculture is a set of practices adapted to different farm types, soils and regions. Delegations typically explore:
- cover crops and crop rotation
- reduced tillage
- organic amendments and compost
- agroforestry and landscape elements that support soil structure, water retention, and on-farm biodiversity.
Visits also highlight challenges farmers face, such as:
- tight margins
- unclear revenue models
- the need for reliable indicators for buyers, banks and policymakers.
ReGeNL: A national program accelerating the transition
A flagship initiative is ReGeNL (Regenerative, Profitable Agriculture), which aims to support 1,000 Dutch farmers in the transition to regenerative agriculture by 2030 while maintaining a positive business case.
The program is built on learning-by-doing through on-farm demonstrations, knowledge exchange and collaborations across the food system. Organizations such as Foodvalley connect the ecosystem.
What FoodX offers
FoodX organizes tailored delegation programs focused on regenerative agriculture & sustainability. Within a compact geography, delegations can explore the full Dutch ecosystem, from farms and field trials to research labs and innovation hubs. We connect you with relevant expertise and real-world examples, showing you how regenerative principles are tested, measured and translated into viable business models.
Example program elements:
- Expert briefings and trend sessions
- Roundtables with innovators and policymakers
- Company visits and site tours, e.g. to pioneer or experimental farms
- Case studies, e.g. on introduction of latest innovative farm management practices
- Explore crop-livestock systems that close nutrient loops and boost resilience
- Research & Trial Sites – Learn from field experiments and data-driven regenerative innovations
Interested?
Would you like to explore the Dutch ecosystem of regenerative agriculture and sustainable farming systems? We will gladly discuss the possibilities of a tailored program that includes this topic with you.
Explore related themes
Regenerative agriculture and sustainability are closely connected to other areas of food innovation. A FoodX program can combine multiple themes, allowing you to explore related topic.