Understanding resilience of farming systems: Insights from system dynamics modelling for an arable farming system in the Netherlands

• Social self-organisation in shape of a cooperative has played key role the observed resilience farming system Veenkoloniën. Environmental challenges like climate change effects and nematode pressure are serious threat to starch potato farmers The social seen Veenkoloniën suggest that similar structures might help build other systems. Farming systems Europe facing economic, social, environmental institutional challenges. Highly intensive, climate-exposed, arable north Netherlands particularly vulnerable many these Just past twenty years, lost half its small medium sized family farms specialised cultivating potatoes. While production continues be stable as remaining increasing size their operation, local stakeholders concerned is endangered. In this paper we investigate issue by using dynamics simulation model explore what potential could threaten long term future identify leverage points can enhance system. Our analysis shows that, so far, farmers’ active engagement processing been an important element cope with economic practice, able act buffer stabilise prices for region implementing strategies increase value products, open new markets production.