For close to 50 years now, we have been developing knowledge on sustainable agriculture, nutrition and health; in our vision, these three elements are closely linked. Our focus is on the six themes that are explained here. We are always working on strengthening natural systems and processes, irrespective of the subject, whether this concerns an agricultural area, a type of soil, a company, an organisation, a patient or a city district. We do so in a participative manner, together with those involved and aimed at practical and applicable results. In this way, we are contributing to human health and vitality, a resilient food system, and a climate-proof and sustainable physical environment for both people and nature.
Practice-based solutions
Major clients include the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, ZonMw, the European Commission, provinces, municipalities, water boards, environmental and nature organisations, various foundations and, of course, the business community. They value our integral vision on sustainable agriculture, nutrition and health and our ability to offer solutions through a systems approach. Our close cooperation with practitioners enables us to conduct practice-based and implementation-oriented research in addition to traditional scientific research. As a result, the knowledge and recommendations that we provide have a practical character. They are also highly applicable and lead to sustainable and healthy growth in humans, animals, plants and soil.
Integral area approach
We observe, study and act from an awareness of the interaction between processes and individual elements. From this integral perspective, we do not look at research questions in isolation, but always by studying the wider context. After all, what use is a partial solution if it does not work within the whole? Everything is interrelated. For instance, farmers are all part of the food production chain and their farms are part of a landscape in which all elements impact each other. If we look at how to solve a problem, we take everyone and everything that is part of that system into account. If you leave out one or more aspects, whether economy, nature or people, the whole becomes invisible; an integral approach to problems is required. Our institute is an important knowledge partner for area processes. To this end, we have developed an integral area approach. For more information, see our integral area approach (in Dutch).
Systems perspective
We conduct our scientific research from a systems perspective — our research areas of sustainable agriculture, nutrition and health are all interrelated. An issue that is currently generating a large amount of interest is the question of how healthy soils translate into healthy crops, healthy products and, ultimately, healthy consumers. The answer requires integral knowledge, not only about soil processes, farming methods, and how to turn crops into products, but also on how to familiarise children with vegetables so that they will ultimately adopt healthier eating habits. We also study research questions at a more fundamental level, such as whether there is a direct relationship between differences in soil microbiome, the food grown on it and its effect on human health. Understanding this relationship can be of great importance for government soil policies, market propositions of agricultural entrepreneurs, food producers and retailers, but it may also have an impact on the health-related policies of governments and healthcare providers. From a systems perspective, we examine relationships that contribute to sustainable agriculture and to a healthy society.
‘In addition to integrating themes and bringing parties together in area processes, I think we have an important role in exploring new knowledge questions. Consider, for example, plant protection products that are being restricted. The first question in this respect often concerns which other products could be best used to replace those that are being banned. We also study knowledge questions on how farmers could still run their businesses successfully with far fewer crop protection products while also contributing to food security — as well as whether fewer plant protection products would contribute to a positive physical environment for local residents.’
Ilse Geijzendorffer, Chief Executive Officer