In a waterlogged field between Amsterdam and The Hague, farmer Sander Roeleveld is using a small white combine harvester to grow rice, a grain that has never been cultivated in the Netherlands before. The area is known for its windmills, canals running through polders—low-lying land protected by dikes—and dairy farming, which has long been a cornerstone of Dutch agriculture. The project is part of an effort to tackle environmental issues, particularly the sinking of land caused by the drying out of peat soils, a problem that contributes to the gradual lowering of parts of the Netherlands. Philippe Terheggen, president of the Land van Ons association, which provided the land for the trial, said that growing rice in the Netherlands was once considered impossible but is now showing what might be achievable due to climate change. The current trial is taking place on 0.6 hectares, with the aim of producing about three tons of short-grain rice. The team is testing a dozen rice varieties from countries including Russia, China, Japan, and Uzbekistan to find the ones that adapt best to the Dutch climate. Roeleveld, who calls himself a "pioneer," wants to show that wetlands can be used for more than just growing grass. He acknowledges the challenge of shifting from traditional cattle farming, which has dominated the region for 600 years. The project was initially seen as a "bit of a crazy idea" by Julian Helfenstein, a researcher at Wageningen University, who is leading the initiative with colleagues from Leiden University. The project combines efforts to adapt to climate change with measures to reduce its impact. Growing rice allows for the cultivation of crops not previously considered in the region, and keeping the wetlands moist helps prevent the breakdown of peat, which would otherwise release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Helfenstein points out that the issue of peatland degradation is not unique to the Netherlands but also affects much of northwestern Europe, including Germany, Belgium, and the Baltic countries. The team is closely monitoring carbon dioxide and methane emissions from the rice fields to ensure that the project doesn’t make the environmental problem worse. For now, the results are encouraging. Guusje van der Vossen from the Wij Land association, which supports farmers in transitioning to more sustainable practices, said that local restaurants have expressed interest in rice grown in the Netherlands. The variety currently being harvested comes from northern Japan and seems to be the best adapted to Dutch conditions. Van der Vossen, who tried rice from an experimental harvest last year, described it as tasty, though slightly rubbery. She noted that the goal is to use the rice for sushi and possibly even sake, opening up new possibilities for local agriculture and cuisine.