Developing cross-regional natural resource cooperations

Summary in the original language of the document

A regional approach can help maintain important natural resources (climate, water, biodiversity), ensuring long-term productivity and food security. Farmers are encouraged to maintain their organic production through support in marketing and cooperation with a public service provider.
Practical recommendations
Farmers and advisors in a region should reach out to their water companies or other public service providers to suggest setting up similar programs. Value chain managers and people working with Öko-Modell-Regions should also approach service providers and private companies in their region to establish regional cooperation. On the practical side, it is important to develop a system that is a win-win solution for all involved stakeholders. Ideally, farmers receive a payment for the organic production through a programme, e.g., from the water company that is additional to the CAP payments. The combination of value chain analysis and marketing products with a positive effect on public resources, e.g., groundwater, can establish a strong network for organic transition and long-term production.