INNOVATING TO ENHANCE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN FARMING

Insights from FLIARA’s case study comparative analysis show that across the EU women innovators display a high interest in developing farming projects that foreground environmental sustainability.

This means that many chose to practice organic, biodynamic or regenerative farming, avoiding chemicals and respecting nature’s rhythms. Moreover, they often chose to preserve local traditional crops and breeds which are considered more sustainable and better suited to the local environment. This allows them to take care of soil health and animal wellbeing.

The majority of the interviewed women innovators in farming, even those holding an agricultural degree, have learned how to practice alternative forms of agriculture through courses offered by informal networks of organic farmers, or they gained knowledge and experience by doing and experimenting.

Improving training programs and AKIS services to support these sustainable forms of agriculture, especially in the context of small farms, appears fundamental.

Also, agricultural schools could offer more varied courses on these types of agriculture. A best practice is the Warmonderhof – a small-scale school in the Netherlands – which provides training, education, teaching facilities, internships, and practical testing on organic and biodynamic farming methods.

Promoting the visibility of these farms, through national campaigns, videos and podcasts to show the opportunities related to this model of agriculture is another useful action to sensitise other (women) farmers to engage in sustainable environmental agriculture.