A floating farm in Rotterdam rises to meet the challenge of climate change

In the heart of Europe's largest port lies a little corner of the countryside, where 30 cows have settled on the waters of Rotterdam. This one-of-a-kind floating barn, spread across three levels, is moored to a meadow that the cows can freely access via a footbridge whenever they want.

Minke van Wingerden, co-founder of Floating Farm, is working to develop a sustainable type of farm that used a variety of technologies to minimise its carbon footprint.

Solar panels wave around the farm to reduce energy dependency, and there's a small wind turbine on the water — though the farm still relies partially on external resources.

On the cowshed's upper floor, meanwhile, an automated robot passes between the aisles to collect the manure.

"It absorbs the manure and then takes it to the separator. The manure is immediately separated into urine and the dry part of the manure. This is very important, because if you do this within three hours, you get 60% fewer emissions," explains van Wingerden.

The floating farm produces 600 litres of milk daily, which is sold around 30 metres away. It also makes yoghurts and matured cheese on the third level of the farm, which is situated below the waterline.

The farm was born of the idea of being able to produce milk whatever the weather, and water is at the heart of the concept.

This structure is a response to the risks of flooding and rising oceans and seas caused by global warming. The global rise in temperatures is exacerbating stress on water supplies, which affects 20% of the EU's territory and 30% of its population every year.

The cowshed in the port of Rotterdam has two systems to reduce this dependence.

"The first involves collecting rainwater on the roof, purifying it downstairs and reusing it on the farm," explains Minke van Wingerden.

The other involves pumping "brackish water from the port, which we desalinate. But desalination without chemicals only requires heat, and what we do is use the heat from the manure".

In its latest report on water, the European Environment Agency points out that agriculture represents the greatest pressure on this resource. Pollution caused by the sector affects 32% of groundwater and 29% of surface water.

The agency therefore suggests a change in agricultural practices, the use of new technologies, and preparing the farming world to operate with less water.

Focus on proximity

In Rotterdam, the floating farm is also part of a circular economy system.

"We feed our cows in part with waste products from the city. For example, there's a brewery next door to us," says van Wingerden, whose leftovers are partly recycled by Floating Farm. An identical collaboration has been set up with a local cider house.

The project appears to have been a success, and van Wingerden and her husband are planning to build new farms on the same principle. However, the next farms will probably be located elsewhere.

"We're only here for a few years, because this area (of the port) is in transition," explains the co-founder.

It was not easy to convince the sceptical port authorities at the start of the project. The authorities were quick to question whether the cows could suffer from seasickness, which put the farm into question. But after much thought and research, the cattle were finally deemed fit to live on the water.

The farm is attracting interest from all over the world, with professionals from Asia and America travelling to the Netherlands to study the concept and develop it in line with local needs.