Hainaut Cross-Border Natural Park: developing the sustainable rural economy to preserve local resources

The aim of the PNTH Ecorurable project is to promote the development of sustainable agriculture throughout the Hainaut Cross-Border Natural Park. It sets out to promote an agriculture on a human and family scale, respectful of the environment and nature. The project is designed to meet the expectations of stakeholders in terms of sustainable agriculture jobs, product quality and the dynamism of rural life. Cross-border added value is generated through networking, exchanges and transfers of good practices on both sides of the border, but also through joint production. The target is therefore to facilitate a network of exchanges between innovative farms who are project partners; to identify the problems present on the territory on the basis of farmers' meetings (GARA) and innovative farms; to test different diagnostic tools on various themes (grassland flora, fodder, soil, optimisation of farm manure, sustainability of the farm, conversion to organic farming, etc.) then to popularise these tools with farmers and give guidelines for “self-diagnosis”; to experiment with innovative techniques (implementation and monitoring of forage trials, experimentation of cropping systems and innovative cropping practices, dissemination of results); to enable, through networking, the development and structuring of organic microeconomic sectors.This integrated land management system covers 65 French and 7 Walloon municipalities, adding up to a total of 135 towns and villages. The area covered will be 1000 km² for 375,000 inhabitants. Results: establishment of a network of innovative test farms (6 to 8 farms); 12 technical meetings, methodological tool tests, follow-up of 12 experimental tests, production of 4 to 8 technical cases per year, organisation of exchange and conference workshops and a wiki. The awareness campaign will raise awareness among more than 1200 farms, 120 will participate in project activities and 8 will be involved in the network of test farms. Three mechanisms will be produced for the integrated management of territorial resources.Support for farms that develop sustainable and multi-functional agriculture that respects the environment and enhances eco-systems. Expected outcomes: preserving livestock farming activity that enhances grasslands, preserving soil fertility, preserving biodiversity, developing innovative and sustainable solutions, encouraging the development of cross-border agricultural sectors that provide healthy and high-quality food. Generate innovative habits by involving farmers in the implementation of an integrated and coordinated approach to local resource management. Finally, it is expected that the model will be extended to other farms.