Exploring the Present and Potential Markets for the Locally Produced Foods in Does Burger Eng. and Neighbouring Areas, Netherlands

Abstract

Doesburger Eng is a rural community located in Ede north of Kernhem and south of Lunteren (The Netherlands). It has a total land size of 140 hectares in which 85% of the area is presently used for farming and 15% for housing. It has about 50 farmers involved in cereal and livestock production (Verschuur, 2012). The Doesburger Mill is said to be popular landmark of the area.

In the 17^th and 18^th century, the area had a historical landscape of farmland planted with cereals such as rye and wheat  around the homestead, patches of forest, and heath for sheep rearing. Over the years the agricultural landscape of the area has changed where 50% of the area (70 hectares) is grown with maize for livestock feeding, 30% (42 ha) for pastures, and 5% (7 ha) for cereals barley, rye, and spelt. The change by farmers from traditional cereals to more profitable maize production has negatively changed the Doesburger Eng from its open and attractive landscape and loss of its unique cultural (historical) heritage.

The Foundation Buurtschap Doesburger Eng (SBDE), a local organisation established in 2004 for strengthening social cohesion in the area, seeks to sustainably restore the area to its original landscape value and unique cultural heritage. They hope to achieve this by developing sustainable and profitable entrepreneurial solutions. This is also in conjunction with the Estate Kernhem and Edese forest. The new approach of the SBDE and Kenniswerkplaats is to facilitate individual farmers in the process of creating more value on their local products for increased income through accessing or linking to new value creating markets including local organic egg farmers.