Duurzame landbouw in gebiedsprocessen : barrières en oplossingsrichtingen in Engbertsdijksvenen, Ronde Hoep en Schiermonnikoog

Government policies for rural areas are often implemented in area processes. In this study we analysed the barriers to agricultural extensification/diversification and the approaches taken to overcoming them in three different types of area processes. Central to this study are the experiences in three recent area processes (Engbertsdijksvenen,Schiermonnikoog and Ronde Hoep). Important barriers are the lack of a common perception of the problem among government authorities and stakeholders in the area, the lack of clear government objectives, the changing of government objectives and regulations during the course of the process, and the lack of a set of concrete policy instruments for agricultural extensification/diversification. Possible solutions for overcoming these barriers vary considerably, depending on the type of area process. For example, in one area process the lack of instruments for extensification/diversification may be circumvented by setting up a pilot project/experiment, while in another area process the farmers concerned may be bought out and no progress at all is made with extensification/diversification, at least for the time being. The experiences in the area processes investigated provide concrete lessons for future area processes under the National Rural Areas Programme (NPLG).