Arjan Mulder remains optimistic for Dutch farms four years after nitrogen crisis

Four years after the 2022 nitrogen crisis, 28‑year‑old farmer Arjan Mulder from Vlist says he still believes in the future of Dutch agriculture. He has completed his studies and now works as a feed specialist for cattle while continuing the family dairy farm. Mulder notes a rise in meadow bird nests – from about 70 to over 130 – and his family received the Golden Grutto award from Vogelbescherming Nederland for their conservation efforts.

Despite the improvement, Mulder warns that new regulations on CO₂, water management and soil quality remain problematic, with few farms meeting the proposed standards. He urges the government to give more space to farmer‑led innovations such as increased grazing, feed adjustments and lower urea content, and to streamline permits for novel systems.