Farmers for farmers advisers

Subtitle / abstract In order to stimulate organic farming, the Flemish government supports individual advising to farmers. This type of advising is as well focused on the technical aspects as on management themes. Especially concerning the conversion to organic farming, the
Domain of activity
  • Training
Objective of the tool/method To stimulate organic farming, to stimulate exchange of knowledge and experience
Description of the tool What makes this support special, is the way experts are selected. Traditionally, this type of advising is restricted to agricultural engineers and technicians, with official diplomas etc. This kind of knowledge certainly is recognized, but beside this, also farmers can be recognized. All of them have to pass a kind of examination, to prove their knowledge on organic farming. It doesn’t matter whether you have diplomas or not. You just have to prove you know something about organic farming. This recognition is specified for each sector. If you only got experience in cultivating vegetables, you can become advisor in horticulture. The names of recognized farmers or advisors are published on the site of the agricultural department. Once you agreed as farmer with an advisor, you can make an agreement and specify how often you expect to ask for advice. Flanders is a small region, and the organic agrilture in Flanders is even smaller. It’s obvious that we haven’t so many advisors. But the system is really put into practice. For some farmers it can be usefull, because the’re thinking to get retired and try to pass on their knowledge. For others is an interesting way to realize some extra income, e.g. during wintertime, when there is time to focus on another type of work. In any way, this is an existing formula to exchange agro-ecological knowledge between farmers.
More information [[http://lv.vlaanderen.be/nl/bio/subsidies/bedrijfsadvisering website]] (dutch)
Succes factor It doesn’t matter whether you have diplomas or not. You just have to prove you know something about organic farming
Contact Bavo Verwimp
Contact email bavo.verwimp@vlm.be
Town antwerp
Author of the index card Sylvie Fosselle