For farmers

Biodiversity does not have to be a threat to agriculture. It can also be an opportunity.

KURBI starts from a simple conviction. Farmers are not a problem to be solved. On the contrary, they manage on a daily basis the landscape in which biodiversity develops.

That is why we believe a successful biodiversity project can only succeed when farmers are full partners from the very beginning.

A different model

Many nature projects start from the idea that agriculture and nature are opposed to one another. KURBI deliberately chooses a different approach.

We believe that agriculture and biodiversity can strengthen one another. After all, not every square metre of farmland has the same economic value.

Virtually every farming business has plots or parts of plots that are hard to access; generate little yield; are wet; are difficult to work; or are economically less attractive.

It is precisely in such locations that biodiversity can often create added value.

No loss of farmland

A commonly heard concern is that biodiversity projects would "take away" farmland.

KURBI wants to achieve precisely the opposite. We want to offer farmers additional opportunities to economically strengthen parts of their business.

When a less profitable corner of a plot is set up as a flower meadow, the return for the farmer can, in certain cases, be higher than the return he would achieve on that same piece of land through conventional cultivation.

The intention, therefore, is not to replace agriculture. The intention is to make agriculture more economically robust.

An additional source of income

KURBI works with companies willing to invest annually in biodiversity. Those funds are not used solely for materials.

A significant portion flows back into the implementation and management of the biodiversity projects.

This creates an additional economic activity for farmers alongside their conventional farming activities.

That increases the stability of the farming business.

And greater stability also means more room to invest for the long term.

Your knowledge is indispensable

No one knows a plot better than the farmer who has worked it for years.

The farmer knows where water collects; where the soil is rich or poor; which wind direction prevails; where birds nest; and which plants appear spontaneously.

That knowledge is invaluable. That is why KURBI does not want to impose biodiversity projects. We want to design them together.

The farmer remains owner or tenant

KURBI has no ambition to purchase farmland or take over leases. On the contrary, we prefer to work together with farmers who remain owners or users of their land. The specific arrangements are always laid down in a clear cooperation agreement. Every party knows in advance which commitments are being made.

Which projects are possible?

Depending on the location and characteristics of the plot, possibilities include flower meadows; natural ponds; nesting boxes; insect hotels; bird-of-prey posts; wild nature corners; natural grazing; or other biodiversity measures.

Less administration

KURBI wants to relieve farmers of as much burden as possible. We take care of, among other things, contacts with companies; partners; communication; project monitoring; and documentation. This allows the farmer to keep focusing on their own activities.

A new form of entrepreneurship

Agriculture is constantly evolving. More and more farmers are looking for ways to diversify their operations. Some invest in farm-shop sales. Others develop recreational activities. Yet others opt for energy production. KURBI wants to add biodiversity to that list.

Why work with KURBI?

• Because you remain owner/tenant of your land.

• Because biodiversity can create additional income.

• Because you remain involved in the management yourself.

• Because your knowledge is central.

• Because companies invest locally.

• Because agriculture and nature can strengthen one another.

• Because future generations also benefit from a resilient landscape.

We are looking for pioneers

KURBI is currently in its early stages. We are therefore looking for farmers who want to help think through the further development of the project. Not everything is fixed today. We believe the best ideas arise from working together. Your experience can help determine what KURBI will look like tomorrow.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to stop my farming activities?: No. On the contrary, KURBI wants to integrate biodiversity wherever that makes economic and practical sense.

Can I put forward my own proposals?: We'd welcome it. We firmly believe in solutions that arise from practice.

Can I combine multiple projects?: Yes. This will often even be the most interesting solution.

How is my compensation determined?: That depends on the chosen project, the surface area, the work involved and the specific cooperation. Clear agreements on this are always made before the start of the project.

Do I need to sell my land?: No. KURBI does not, in principle, acquire ownership of farmland. Cooperation takes place on the basis of clear contractual arrangements.

Building the landscape of tomorrow, together

Biodiversity and agriculture do not have to be competitors. When companies, farmers and the local community work together, a landscape emerges that is economically stronger, ecologically richer and more valuable to society. That is KURBI's ambition. Not choosing between agriculture or nature, but investing in a future in which both strengthen one another.

Do you want to help build KURBI?

Are you a farmer or landowner in Bierbeek or another municipality, and would you like to explore whether your land is suitable for a biodiversity project?

We would be happy to meet you.