ReGeNL – Building a profitable future for regenerative agriculture in the Netherlands
Project information
In short- Start date: 1 September 2025
- End date: 31 August 2031
- Funder: Dutch National Growth Fund
- WUR coordinator: Peter Groot Koerkamp
What would agriculture look like if soil improvement, nature restoration and a viable business model reinforced each other? In ReGeNL, Dutch farmers, technology providers and food-system partners work together to make profitable regenerative agriculture a reality.
About ReGeNL
ReGeNL is an initiative by Next Food Collective, Wageningen University & Research, the University of Groningen, Utrecht University and more than 50 partners across the food system. These include farmer cooperatives, financial institutions, and knowledge and technology providers. Together with 1,000 Dutch farmers, the partners are working between now and 2031 to support the transition towards a future-proof agricultural sector. The ambition is clear: farming systems that improve soil quality and restore nature, while offering farmers a sustainable and positive earning model. ReGeNL aims to make regenerative agriculture the new standard in the Netherlands and to serve as an international example.
Dutch agriculture is among the most efficient in the world, combining high yields per hectare with relatively low emissions per kilogram of food produced. At the same time, pressure on soil, biodiversity and the climate continues to increase, and ecological limits are being exceeded more frequently.
The sector therefore faces a fundamental transition towards a more sustainable food system. For many farmers, however, this transition comes with uncertainty about future income and viable business models.
ReGeNL is committed to regenerative, profitable agriculture that has public support. The basis principle is that farming contributes to healthier soils, richer soil life and nature restoration, with healthy added value for farmers.
Regenerative agriculture places soil quality at the heart of farming. Healthy, living soils are the foundation for productive agriculture and for the delivery and restoration of ecosystem services.
By building food and biomass production on ecological processes, it becomes possible to combine ecosystem health, increased biodiversity, resilience of the biosphere, human and animal wellbeing, and long-term economic prosperity.
ReGeNL supports farmers in diversifying crops, farming practices and revenue models. Together with participating farmers and partners, the programme tackles key barriers to change, such as transition costs, uncertainty about yields, and gaps in knowledge and experience.
The approach is integrated and works across three interconnected levels:
- the individual farm,
- the region or landscape,
- the wider food system.
ReGeNL’s ambitions are translated into five action lines:
- Business models – developing scalable business models, regional designs and value-chain innovations.
- Transition pathways – applying existing and new innovations on 1,000 farms.
- Measuring, modelling and valuing – collecting data to underpin and value regenerative practices and business models.
- Human Capital – developing long-term (informal) education and training for regenerative agriculture.
- Supporting products and services – creating products and services that enable regenerative business models.
The role of Wageningen University & Research
Wageningen University & Research plays a key role in ReGeNL. WUR organises a substantial part of the programme activities and contributes scientific expertise in areas such as agricultural systems, soil, biodiversity, data, business models and educational innovation. In addition, WUR leads action line 1 (Business Models), action line 3 (Measuring, Modelling and Valuing) and action line 4 (Human Capital), involving multiple WUR knowledge units.
Partners
ReGeNL brings together a broad national consortium of farmers, value-chain partners, knowledge institutions and public authorities. An up-to-date overview of all partners is available on the ReGeNL project website.
Organisation and funding
ReGeNL is funded through an investment from the Dutch National Growth Fund. The programme is coordinated by Next Food Collective.
Questions about this project?
Please contact the project leader.
