Articles
Preparing Flemish leek growers for future challenges
Article number
1398_11
Pages
83 – 88
Language
English
Abstract
As prime exporter of frozen vegetables, Belgium and especially Flanders, has developed an intensive vegetable cultivation sector with high-quality output.
One of these vegetables is leek (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum), a crop grown mainly in the regions surrounding Roeselare and Mechelen and found in the field year-round.
Although the cultivated area is in decline in our region, this crop is still of major importance on the Flemish vegetable auctions and a qualitative export product.
Nonetheless, this crop is facing multiple challenges that could jeopardise the yield, the quality and profitability.
A first challenge is to continue to achieve high-quality yields under the increasingly strict and area-specific fertilization legislation in Flanders, which aims to reduce nutrient losses to soil and surface water.
A second challenge is the declining number of crop production products, which will mainly reduce the quality.
These two challenges are a result of the increasing measures to protect the environment, while the third challenge is not implemented by regulation, but affects all aspects of the culture, namely climate change.
Apart from irregular weather patterns, new problems like pests and diseases arise with these changes.
Of course, we also have to take into account that the economic return is a key aspect in the capacity to face these challenges.
PCG did run and still runs several projects and trials to inform and support the growers in our region to face these challenges and safeguard the position of leek as a sustainable and qualitative crop which will be discussed.
One of these vegetables is leek (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum), a crop grown mainly in the regions surrounding Roeselare and Mechelen and found in the field year-round.
Although the cultivated area is in decline in our region, this crop is still of major importance on the Flemish vegetable auctions and a qualitative export product.
Nonetheless, this crop is facing multiple challenges that could jeopardise the yield, the quality and profitability.
A first challenge is to continue to achieve high-quality yields under the increasingly strict and area-specific fertilization legislation in Flanders, which aims to reduce nutrient losses to soil and surface water.
A second challenge is the declining number of crop production products, which will mainly reduce the quality.
These two challenges are a result of the increasing measures to protect the environment, while the third challenge is not implemented by regulation, but affects all aspects of the culture, namely climate change.
Apart from irregular weather patterns, new problems like pests and diseases arise with these changes.
Of course, we also have to take into account that the economic return is a key aspect in the capacity to face these challenges.
PCG did run and still runs several projects and trials to inform and support the growers in our region to face these challenges and safeguard the position of leek as a sustainable and qualitative crop which will be discussed.
Publication
Authors
L. Lippens, L. Lauwers, J. Bodyn, A. Waverijn, S. Buysens, L. De Reycke
Keywords
leek, cultivation, crop protection, fertilisation, quality
Groups involved
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