The fact that Dutch gardening stay on to innovate and extend the way technologically is largely due to cooperation between cultivator and technology supplier . They are positive of that at the AVAG , the tie of the Dutch glasshouse construction and technology . Over the past decade , GreenTech has grown into a platform that advance this cooperation . Last month , it was decided that the cooperation between the two party should be protract and intensified for six years . Annie van de Riet ( AVAG ) , Mariska Dreschler ( GreenTech ) , net ton avant-garde Mil ( Royal Brinkman and AVAG board ) , and Annette Bos ( RAI Amsterdam ) explain the challenges the sphere faces and why cooperation is key to address them .
Wooden greenhousesWhen the AVAG was founded in 1963 , part of the Dutch horticultural surface area still consisted of wooden greenhouses stir up with throttle or oil colour heaters . The first heating pipes had not yet been installed , and window were closed manually , as was irrigation . peak , vegetable , and fruits were grown in the greenhouse . Peppers were barely present , as they had only just go far . The connexion was found by Dutch suppliers who were active for Dutch growers . Over 60 year later , the sphere has changed , economy of scale , internationalization , digitalization , and robotization are just a few terms that signify this change .
But those Dutch horticultural provider carry on to do well . " The Netherlands does very well when it follow to horticultural technology : 80 percent of nursery projection around the world postulate Dutch parties , according to food market inquiry , " say AVAG president Annie van de Riet . For those Dutch parties , foreign country are therefore also hugely important : most of the turnover of Dutch suppliers is understand outside the Dutch border . Moreover , give the spring up humans universe and pick out into bill challenges such as mood change and the energy transition , she sees opportunity for further outgrowth . " Whether bring on healthy food or realizing a greener living surround , intensive gardening is need . And the Netherlands provides that applied science . "
GreenTech has become an important platform for the sphere both in the Netherlands and overseas over the past decade . " If you want to see the latest developments and come across everyone from the industry , you descend to Amsterdam for the orbicular overview and to Mexico for the ( Latin ) American marketplace . At GreenTech , current knowledge and innovation are divvy up and then further developed every year . This involve both the relationship with visitant and agriculturalist and the mutual kinship between horticultural companies . The knowledge and founding program foreground what is new and what you want to know at the time . They look at unlike levels of crop optimization , " says Mariska Dreschler , director of Horticulture - GreenTech Global at RAI Amsterdam .
" You want to know what is proceed on with growers , " says Ton van Mil , CEO of Royal Brinkman and member of the AVAG dining table . " The grandness of GreenTech is that once a year you get an up - to - particular date overview of how the earth is going , both as a grower and as a supplier . " Where is the world going , and how can we take a function in it ? "
No matter how the sector develops , the importance of cooperation rest unchanged . " The with child thing about the Dutch horticultural provider is that within the sphere you find companies that are not only leading in their field of view but also control globally . Because every region require a unique approach , there is continuous initiation , " Annie explains . " But you ca n’t do that alone . " As an exercise , Ton outlines the developments around crop aegis , where the resource package will only become more limited in the make out geezerhood . " That means more focus on a live crop . Where we focus on harvest and fertilization , other parties are mood expert . This expertness should be made available and linked so that the grower can approach all facets . As a company , you have to halt thinking in partial areas and see the whole . "
This is why he is also happy with an association like AVAG and a political program like GreenTech : it extend the opportunities to get up - to - date , to pick up what challenges growers are facing , and to see if there are other company that can kick in to the grower ’s solution . And these can also be international parties , he confirms when asked . " You need to have the whole world of providers together to be able to strengthen each other , " he says .
Cooperation unique for horticultureThis cooperation is unique for gardening , observes Annette Bos . As director of Markets from RAI , she sees various sectors and finds that there is almost nowhere as much mutual reenforcement as here . " The Netherlands is a minor rural area , but the cooperation makes us muscular . The AVAG and GreenTech conduce to that . If you plug into party and together with enter that external performing field , you’re able to make powerful steps forrard . " She continues that in sectors where there are more divisions , it proves difficult to maintain and return impact . " Even if you are technologically good . By joining hands , you could make bigger footprint . By doing so , we create a lot of impact and helper in the sustainable conversion . "
Nevertheless , with globalization and the internationalization of horticulture , the Netherlands has long since finish to be the only nation that can put up a fine greenhouse or technology . A collaborative platform like GreenTech also means the presence of competitor . " Either it contributes to the solvent for the cultivator , or it keeps us on our toe to do things better , " thinks Ton . " As Dutch suppliers , we have the name and can do a draw , but that does not mean we are done . We have to keep developing to maintain our lead and make a deviation towards the future . "
Moreover , horticulture is also face challenges . Expected enlargement in North America , for case , has been unsatisfying in recent years . " We expect the willingness to invest to be back on level by 2024 . That has not materialise , but the course and the need for protect cultivation give confidence that it will keep . There is no doubt about the importance of engineering in this respect . At the same time , making a 20 - hectare glasshouse successful after closing is also proving to be no easy task . independent growing solutions are in high need , which can boost investiture eagerness . But again , a company can not achieve it alone . Cooperation is required . "
So plenty of intellect to keep and deepen cooperation between the sphere and GreenTech : on the agenda is the joint setting up of projects to exchange even more knowledge and experience between Dutch and outside companies . " This offers both technology companies and visitor the chance to go in Modern markets and enforce technical solutions on a global scurf . A winnings - win for all party involved , both in the Netherlands and internationally , " Mariska observes . " We go on to construct the outside degree and program to deal knowledge and present excogitation to provide solvent to the challenges facing the sector , " reason out Annie .
For more information : GreenTech Amsterdam[email protected]www.greentech.nlAVAGEuropa 12672 ZX Naaldwijk , the NetherlandsT : +31 ( 0 ) 174 44 66 60[email protected]www.avag.nl
© FloralDaily.com/Arlette Sijmonsma
