Outcomes of the Knowledge Network on Sustainable Intensification

In addition to knowledge exchange through meetings, the KNSI has produced the following papers:

Defining boundaries for sustainable intensification

Author: T. Berg (2018)

This paper reviews the concept of intensification in agriculture in terms of definitions, principles and boundaries. It furthermore describes its evolvement and the relationship with ‘neighbouring’ approaches.

Mapping of partner sustainable intensification related activities, key sites (study farms), key areas covered, constratints and standard sustainable intensification metrics and indicators

Authors: A. Weber; G. van de Ven; H. Rijk; M van Ittersum (2019)

The concept of sustainable intensification (SI) is often seen as a main solution for ensuring food security. The main idea behind it, is to increase agricultural productivity while simultaneously increasing the resource use efficiency and sustainability of the production.

In recent years, many EU policies have focussed on enhancing the sustainability of agriculture, however, the actual level of SI of individual farms remains unknown. This thesis identifies the current state-of-the-art of the level of SI of better-performing arable and dairy farms in the Netherlands in comparison to the national average.

The Netherlands is used as an example, as Dutch agriculture is among the most intensive in Europe, with the need for an improved sustainability. 

Identification of sustainable intensification policies (internal paper)

Editor: D. te Boekhorst (2019)

A scan of national policies of six countries in the KNSI network, mapping national policies, frameworks and programmes that target sustainable intensification in agriculture.