The emergence of new players with lots of capital and new business models creates an ever-greater need to collaborate as a Dutch cluster. Dutch Greenhouse Delta aims to lead the internationalization of the Dutch horticulture sector. Joep van den Bosch, Boardmember Supervisory Board of Dutch Greenhouse Delta (DGD), recognizes DGD’s essential role in joining forces and enabling common growth as a sector internationally. DGD is a powerful organization that represents the strength of the Dutch horticulture sector. We are founded to promote Dutch horticulture worldwide by offering the entire horticulture ecosystem of Fork2Farm. This ecosystem consisting of science, enterprise, education, and the government, is considered to be unique in the global horticultural sector. It enables Dutch Greenhouse Delta and its partner to identify and capitalize on opportunities in promising regions, such as China, India, and the Gulf region. Food security and food safety is high on the strategic agenda of these regions, and sustainable and efficient local food production is their top priority.
DGD’s team
Dutch Greenhouse Delta’s team of eight people jointly has substantial experience, knowledge, and an extensive network in the horticulture sector internationally. We have local representatives in China, India, and the Gulf region who work closely together with senior and experienced advisors in the Netherlands. Our approach to these so-called tandems makes us unique and allows us to act effectively and timely in our focus regions. From our office in the World Horti Center, the knowledge and innovation center for international greenhouse horticulture, the core activities, including marketing and communications, are executed. The departure of Michiel F van Ginkel as CEO later this year does not change DGD’s mission and commitment to promoting the Dutch horticulture industry abroad. We remain committed to our ambition to contribute to the provision of healthy, affordable, nutritious, and safe food that is produced sustainably and locally. We firmly believe that by offering a total solution in terms of horticultural technology, management (guidance), and knowledge transfer, we can support countries to become more self-sufficient.
Collaboration with public bodies and the industry
To tackle the worldwide challenges in terms of food security and safety, tight cooperation between governmental authorities and a foundation of companies like DGD is indispensable. DGD’s network opens doors that would remain closed to individual companies. Today, over twenty leading companies are committed to DGD and are working jointly to make the large and complex projects of tomorrow a reality. From seed companies, biological control, and growing medium to technology companies specialized in greenhouses, climate control, screens, and irrigation; the cluster presents all expertise needed to grow locally in a sustainable way.
DGD also works intensively together will other branch organizations and collective initiatives in the Netherlands, such as AVAG, World Horti Center, HortiHeroes, Innovation Quarter, and Greenport West Holland. In addition, a good relationship is maintained with the Dutch Public bodies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, Dutch Enterprise Agency (RVO), NL Works, and with Embassies, Consulates, and Agricultural councils in the focus countries. Wouter Verhey, Agricultural Counsellor at the Netherlands Embassy in China, states: ‘’DGD is an important partner for us as an Embassy. They play a pivotal role in the horticultural development in China. DGD also is a driving force within the high-tech greenhouse management training, which in my opinion, is crucial.’’
Public-private partnerships to boost cooperation between countries
Currently, DGD coordinates three Partners for International Business (PIB) programs; in China, India, and the Gulf Region. These multi-year public-private partnerships are focused on strengthening collaboration between the countries and on promoting the awareness of Dutch technology and know-how. Within these PIBs, programs for branding, promotion & matchmaking, knowledge to knowledge, and lobbying are implemented. By working together with knowledge institutions, and the Dutch government, leading Dutch companies can realize their international ambitions. At the Dutch Horticultural Days at the World Expo in Dubai last February, we showed that collaborating as a leading industry pays off. In Dubai, we brought together an energetic crowd made up of entrepreneurs, growers, retailers, and government officials from the UAE region and convinced them that collaboration is the key to feeding the ever-expanding cities.
The current energy crisis, in combination with the challenges of changing climate, makes today’s business environment tough and unpredictable. However, at Dutch Greenhouse Delta, we firmly believe that this is even more reason to jointly promote our sector internationally.
For more information:
Dutch Greenhouse Delta
info@dutchgreenhousedelta.com
www.dutchgreenhousedelta.com