OP-PEIL breakthrough of controlled drainage systems (PGD)
OP-PEIL aims to achieve the breakthrough of controlled drainage systems (PGD), which are both socially and agriculturally profitable and effective, in Flanders in the short term.
The partners want to achieve this by:
- Further developing and consolidating the knowledge gathered in recent years about PGD in Flanders, with emphasis on the added value PGD can bring in combating drought, as well as for farm management and farmers’ financial returns.
- Specifically, building expertise in three knowledge gaps:
- The potential of sub-irrigation via PGD,
- The influence of PGD on the fresh–saltwater interface in the polder context, and
- The possibilities for water management at the landscape scale.
- Offering decision-support guidelines and practical recommendations to farms on the plot-specific application of PGD.
- Encouraging and supporting target farms in converting from conventional to PGD systems, with emphasis on implementing feasible and financially viable PGD solutions.
- Maximally disseminating knowledge about PGD, both by the project team and by the farmers of the target farms, through demonstration activities and workshops.