Pilot experimenting with growing black Mustard seed
by: Hero Havenga de Poel, Landgoud
The Municipality of Groningen helped to develop a model for the regional sourcing of black mustard seed for the production of a regional mustard brand.
In Groningen two mustard producers, a factory in the city of Groningen, Marne’s mosterd, and Abrahams mosterdfabriek, a small producer, asked us to support the experiment to introduce the growing of mustard seed in the area. At the moment only on a very small scale mustardseed is being produced in the area. The mustard producers are thus forced to procure their musterdseed from Ukraine and Canada. Distance and political situation drive the producers to try the production of mustard seed on a larger scale at home.
The pilot has started spring 2017. The first crops have been harvested with diverse results. A short film has been made to inform other parties. They have had some exposure in the media. The municipality of Groningen facilitates this initiative with a small amount of money, to realize this pilot. Together with the economic board we asked the initiators to publish and promote their project as an example for other producers, to switch to another crop and produce more for the local industry. In this project a seedproducer/developer, two farmers and two mustard producers are involved. To communicate the process and the results a short film is made. Ketentafel and other networks are being used to communicate this project.
Next steps
The idea is to grow more mustard seed in the region to be able to make genuine Groninger Mosterd again, which is a well known concept, not only in the region. Develop communication plan and join different networks to communicate opportunities.
Contact information:
Hero Havenga de Poel
Landgoud
info@landgoud.nl
www.landgoud.nl