Grand Duke visits organic market garden

Both in open field cultivation and in greenhouse cultivation, the typical area and seasonal problems of organic vegetable production are noticeable. Comparatively small areas are cultivated with great effort and harvested within a narrow time window. The seasonal increase in workload makes it difficult to recruit new staff. The head of state was also aware of this, which is why the Grand Duke specifically asked about the working conditions of the harvest workers. During the tour, a lively conversation ensued with the two helpers on site.

During the tour, both Grand Duke Henri and Minister Schneider gladly took the opportunity to tie their own bunches of radishes according to the instructions of the operators and, of course, to taste the popular spring vegetable. The visitors also enjoyed the greenhouse, where Jeff Weydert insists on growing a greater variety of tomatoes for the sake of biodiversity.

The remark that in this country, unfortunately, greenhouses have to be heated led to an intensive discussion about the energy supply of the organic nursery. Here, too, the head of state showed great interest. As Willy Noesen pointed out the consequences of climate change - phases of drought with alternating heavy rainfall - the rainwater collection tanks were also inspected. Most of the company's energy consumption is fed by a solar system, which complements a wood chip system.

In addition to climate change and questions of energy sustainability, worries about young talent and social responsibility for seasonal workers, however, the financial situation also plays an important role in organic horticulture. As long as the subsidies allocated from the Ministry of Agriculture are area-bound, labour-intensive small farms like the BIO-Gaart op der Schanz can unfortunately only count on little support from the public purse. This makes help with marketing the products all the more important. This is where the OIKOPOLIS Group comes in again, this time with its subsidiaries NATURATA and BIOGROS, because part of the crops harvested "op der Schanz" is sold directly in the neighbouring NATURATA organic farm shop. The remaining production is marketed nationwide by the wholesaler BIOGROS.