‘Not because we should, but because we want to’

Klondike Gardens has specialised in the cultivation of gerberas since 1984. As a Summit Gerbera member, the company is naturally committed to sustainability. Grower Ruud van Leeuwen emphasises that this ambition is internally motivated, and is not only prompted by external regulations: 'We're not doing it just because we have to, but because we want to.'

The growers that make up Summit Gerbera (Klondike Garden, De Zuidplas, Villa Gerbera Koolhaas and Den Houter) all use the latest technologies and methods. Van Leeuwen explains: 'In recent years, we have focused a great deal on integrated crop protection. We've brought in more biological control agents, and we now also use banker plants.' While new pests sometimes make the approach challenging, the company is keen to continue along this path.

© MPSTom and Ruud van Leeuwen

Cooperation and knowledge sharing
Both within the cooperative and externally, growers are sharing their knowledge on issues such as crop protection, dehumidification and energy usage. 'We are joining forces to try every possible option,' says Van Leeuwen. 'This enables the sector to keep learning and improving as a whole.'

Sustainable sector focus
Jaré Reijm, the Chair of Summit Gerbera, underscores the commitment to sustainability and calls for greater visibility for the sector's efforts. 'As a sector, we should communicate more effectively about what we do well. I believe MPS can play a role in this, by helping to highlight how we contribute to creating a better world.'

Van Leeuwen agrees. 'We are collaborating in order to tackle problems and accelerate our sustainability efforts. We have to find the right way to tell this story, for example by showing which steps we are taking. While we can't cultivate without using raw materials, energy, fertilisers and crop protection agents, we are making every effort to reduce our impact.'

Advancing together
Certifications such as MPS-A and MPS-GAP demonstrate that Summit Gerbera is on the right track. As far as the future is concerned, there are also plenty of initiatives that will facilitate further progress. Jaré Reijm points out that growers within the cooperative calculate the environmental footprint of their gerbera cultivation activities.

Kwekerij De Zuidplas, part of Summit Gerbera, is now also expanding and building new facilities. 'As part of that we are working on new sustainable cultivation methods, including a new floor and a dehumidification system.' Anyone who is interested in learning more will find that the doors are always open for colleagues.