Stakeholder Workshop on Niche Paludiculture Crops: Exploring New Opportunities on Rewetted Peatlands
- Douglas Hobbs
- 12 hours ago
- 2 min read
The transition to wetter farming is gathering pace across Europe, and with it comes growing interest in niche paludiculture crops, plants adapted to wet peatland conditions that can deliver environmental and economic benefits simultaneously.
This summer, the Horizon Europe project Paludi4All is bringing stakeholders together to explore these opportunities in depth.
Why niche crops matter for paludiculture
Paludiculture, farming on wet and rewetted peatlands, provides a pathway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect peat soils, and maintain productive land use. Within this system, niche crops offer particular promise. Species such as bog myrtle, sundew and wild berries, alongside other peatland‑adapted plants, can open up new markets and value chains while supporting biodiversity and climate goals.
Developing these crops is a key part of moving away from drainage‑based agriculture towards climate‑friendly land use on peatlands.
About the workshop
The Stakeholder Workshop on Niche Paludiculture Crops Cultivation will take place on:
Dates: 11–12 August 2026
Location: Kouvola, Finland
Host: Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE), in collaboration with the SuoLiike project
Organised under the EU‑funded Paludi4All project, the workshop will bring together researchers, practitioners and businesses working across the paludiculture sector.
What to expect
The two‑day programme is designed to combine practical insight with collaborative discussion. Participants can expect:
Knowledge exchange on cultivation and use of niche paludiculture crops
Discussions on product development and value chains
Exploration of barriers, challenges and opportunities across Europe
Opportunities to share practical experiences and needs from the field
Additional activities include site visits and co‑creation sessions, offering a closer look at how paludiculture is being implemented in practice.
Who should attend?
The workshop is open to a wide range of stakeholders, including:
Farmers and land managers exploring wetter farming
Researchers and advisors working on peatland systems
Entrepreneurs developing paludiculture products
Policymakers and supply‑chain actors
Bringing these perspectives together is essential to building viable markets and scalable solutions for paludiculture in Europe.
Why this matters for the UK
While this event takes place in Finland, the themes are highly relevant to UK peatland landscapes.
Scaling up paludiculture in the UK will depend on:
Identifying profitable crops suited to wet conditions
Developing processing and market pathways
Strengthening knowledge exchange across regions
Workshops like this play a key role in accelerating that transition by connecting expertise and sharing lessons learned across Europe.
Register your interest
If you are working with peatlands, wetland crops or early‑stage paludiculture systems, this workshop offers a valuable opportunity to engage with the wider European community.
Registration closes on 20 July 2026. Participation is free of charge.
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