Henk Vermeer

The Dutch trade journal Groenten & Fruit puts our Autonomous Greenhouse challenge in the spotlights. The fourth edition of the Challenge is in full progress. With this competition, organized by Greenhouse Horticulture - Wageningen University & Research teams are challenged to autonomously grow crops using artificial intelligence (AI), without any human intervention. 23 teams from all over the world participated in the online preliminary round. Five finalists will compete in growing dwarf tomatoes in real life test greenhouses at Greenhouse Horticulture - Wageningen University & Research in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands. The challenge serves as a test ground for companies to try innovative approaches and for students to learn. The first three editions have had a huge impact. The Autonomous Greenhouse Challenge has put horticulture on the map for the IT industry and resulted in the emergence of a number of start-up companies. With over 200 participants from all over the world, from companies, universities and research institutes, this 4th Challenge proves the continued fascination of both horticulturalists and computer technicians with autonomous cultivation. Interested to learn who will win this year? From September 2, the challenge can be followed live via the dashboard on AutonomousGreenhouses.com.

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🗨 "Grasslands have more functions than many people think" 🌿 The Executive Board has named Nick van Eekeren Professor by special appointment for Regenerative Grassland Systems in the Farming Systems Ecology Group, WUR 🎓 "Grasslands are not only for milk production," says Van Eekeren. "This type of land use also plays an important role in challenges related to climate, water quality and biodiversity. In general, grasslands often outperform arable land in terms of soil quality, carbon storage and biodiversity. With all these useful functions (ecosystem services), grasslands also give extra purpose to ruminant systems." 🐄 Ruminants convert grass into high-quality food. This comes with unwanted emissions of greenhouse gases and nitrogen, loss of biodiversity and erosion due to improper grazing. "Improvements can be made by increasing the diversity of grasslands with nitrogen-fixing clovers and herbs. It’s important to increase the longevity of these multi-species grasslands and to adapt grazing systems to promote both the build-up and restoration (regeneration) of ecosystem services," Van Eekeren explains. 💚 Van Eekeren talks enthusiastically about his new part-time position: "Grasslands, with their ecosystem services, will continue to play a vital role in the future agricultural food system. The challenge is to optimise and better exploit the positive interactions between grasslands, ruminants, soil quality and biodiversity. Together with the Farming Systems Ecology chair group at Wageningen University & Research, I want to study these interactions and translate them in farming systems that work." 👏 Congratulations Nick van Eekeren! Want to know more about his work? Read the full interview 👉 https://lnkd.in/eWpb6ZPK Louis Bolk Instituut | Triodos Foundation | #grasslands #biodiversity #farmingsystems #foodsystems #agriculture

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📰 PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHT ❓ What does long-term #paludiculture look like? Does it effectively store carbon while being a viable form of sustainable #agriculture? Our partners at Radboud University, as part of a research team with Universität Greifswald and Greifswald Moor Centrum, studied a rewetted peatland currently being used for paludiculture. Their results support the feasibility of this form of wet agriculture on former farmlands, noting that it is possible with correct management. The study involved a site where one area was rewetted five years ago, and another area was rewetted ten years ago. The team used Sphagnum moss to produce the peat. Other factors they applied were to neither harvest the Sphagnum nor apply fertiliser to the land. 🌱 Over ten years, the moss developed into a 30 cm layer of peat which sequestered large amounts of carbon and nutrients, such as nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Applying Sphagnum-based paludiculture helped to clean up the remaining agricultural nutrients from the degraded peat. The findings also showed that water flowing through the peat was cleaner, featuring lower levels of ammonium and no increase in phosphorus levels. Read the full #publication: https://lnkd.in/dqfKKG6S   Ralph J.M. Temmink Renske Vroom Gijs van Dijk Sannimari Käärmelahti Adam.H.W. K. Matthias Krebs Leon P.M. Lamers Christian Fritz   #SustainableAgriculture #Peatlands #WetlandRestoration #EcosystemServices

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Congress are not only debating and formal meetings but also networking and capacity building and social events. #ISF is doing it the best especially in the point of integration of the #youth engagement in the #seed sector. #WorldSeed2024 #Rotterdam

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𝗨𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 The Nutrient Platform, initiated and hosted by the NWP (Netherlands Water Partnership), is a cross-sectoral network of Dutch organisations that believes in a pragmatic approach towards #nutrient recycling. Frontrunners from the water sector, agriculture, waste sector, and chemical industry have joined forces to close nutrient cycles. The next member meeting (held in Dutch) will discuss the impact of the EU Water Framework Directive for recycled nutrients. 🗓️ Date: 2 October 🕐 Time: 13:00 - 17:00 📍Location: NWP offices, The Hague ✅ Registration: https://lnkd.in/eRs_XNEm While the global demand for #phosphorus and other #nutrients is increasing, the reserves are decreasing. The potential impact on worldwide food security is enormous. The Nutrient Platform is made up of some 25 Dutch organisations representing businesses, knowledge institutes, NGO's and the government. Their shared objective is to create a market for recycled nutrients. The EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) requires all Member States to protect and improve water quality in all waters so that we achieve good ecological status by 2015 or, at the latest, by 2027. It is an important driver for policy on reducing nutrients in surface water. During the upcoming Nutrient Platform Member meeting Diederik van der Molen of the Dutch Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat (Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management) will tell more about the recent developments in this area. He will also discuss the impact of this on circular nutrients with members. The upcoming Member Meeting is by invitation only for the members of the Nutrient Platform. However, if you are interested in attending as a guest or to become a member, please contact NWP colleague Jorn Baan Hofman 📩 [email protected] or check this page, for more info ℹ https://lnkd.in/eRs_XNEm The Member meeting will be held in Dutch. Jorn Baan Hofman | Rick Elmendorp | Marieke Leenhouts | Wilma Meinders

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Netherlands - 2023 was a challenging year for #sugarbeet #production. A cold, wet spring delayed sowing to April 26. Despite a promising summer, a hot, rainy fall and severe winter frost led to low #sugar content (15.6%) and prevented the harvest of 300 hectares. The plant yield was 86.1 tons per hectare, with a #sugar yield of 13.5 tons per hectare. However, a record high #beet price of €78.00 per ton at 17% #sugar content ensured reasonable financial returns for farmers. This was due to rising market prices and a new pricing system linked to the sales season, though future benefits may decrease if #sugarprices drop. #WABCG #ISOSugar

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Dutch Greenhouse Growers to Calculate Carbon Footprint with Rabobank’s Initiative Enhancing Sustainability in Horticulture Rabobank’s initiative to help greenhouse growers calculate their carbon footprint marks a significant step towards sustainability in the Dutch horticultural sector. This effort comes at a crucial time as the industry faces increasing pressure to adopt more environmentally friendly practices. The initiative provides growers with the tools and knowledge needed to measure and ultimately reduce their carbon emissions. Tools and Methodology Greenhouse growers will utilize a calculation method developed by the specialized agency Mérieux NutriSciences | Shined. This method enables companies to visualize their carbon footprint based on specific data from their operations. By identifying the primary sources of emissions, growers can implement targeted strategies to mitigate their environmental impact. Starting with Greenhouse Vegetables The project will begin in September with twenty companies that cultivate greenhouse vegetables. These companies will provide individual data on their operations, including inputs used for plant cultivation. This detailed information will be crucial for accurate footprint calculations and for devising effective reduction strat...

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In today’s update on #privatesectorinnovation: unlocking domain#2! Our second domain is 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐤. If you’re in the Netherlands, you already know that methane emissions from livestock are a major climate concern. Fortunately, there are super promising technologies for reducing livestock emissions! Unfortunately… the sector’s market structure and diverse local contexts pose significant challenges to scaling these innovations. Luckily, Clim-Eat has identified a few lockpicks to unlock their potential! 😉 But first, what are the challenges? (1) A few corporate players control high-tech solutions and create a significant barrier to entry for start-ups. Again, this power imbalance makes it difficult for new innovations to gain traction. (2) Similar to the plant nutrition domain, profitability in the livestock industry is traditionally focused on volume rather than efficiency, hindering climate-friendly production practices. (3) Livestock has serious cultural roots, which raise questions about the desirability and feasibility of disruptive technologies in many regions worldwide. So, what can we do? Perhaps the most pressing lockpick is updating our monitoring, evaluation, and verification tools. By developing and applying novel MRV tools that can provide timely and credible information about innovations’ environmental, social, and economic impacts, we can move the needle towards accountability for the big corporate players and allow for much-needed innovation. And while we introduce accountability for the big corporate players and help innovators break that barrier, repurposing livestock subsidies to support climate-smart practices can go a long way! Stay tuned for part four in our #privatesectorinnovation series 👀 🔎 To dive deeper into the specific actions Clim-Eat recommends, visit the full summary of our paper 👉 https://lnkd.in/eWyUJ5xe 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘮-𝘌𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 #𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘤𝘬. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦:  https://foodsystems.tech/

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🐖 The winner of our Best Innovation Award at this year's Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards is revolutionising pig farming in the Netherlands. Zonvarken, an innovative co-operative founded by four Dutch entrepreneurs, has developed a unique model that prioritises the highest standards of animal welfare while also benefiting the environment and supporting farmers. Zonvarken’s concept revolves around small-scale, replicable farms where pigs are raised in family groups with access to outdoor spaces, allowing them to express natural behaviours such as rooting, foraging and wallowing. The sows enjoy spacious cage-free housing and free farrowing on straw, promoting their well-being. Sustainability is central to this model, as their feed comes from human food by-products, resulting in a highly eco-friendly, low-emission system. The small-scale operations, structured processes and premium pricing ensure Zonvarken farmers a stable and decent income. 🏆 Read more about our Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards 2024 ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ekcYC-a6 #GFAWA2024 #AnimalWelfare #PigFarming #FreeFarrowing #Sustainability #HigherWelfare #Zonvarken #BestInnovationAward #PigWelfare #CageFree

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𝗨𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗜 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 🌱 The horticulture industry is undergoing a technological revolution with the integration of 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 (𝗔𝗜). AI enables precise monitoring and prediction of plant growth and health, paving the way for data-driven cultivation management. 🗣️ Cor Verdouw, Senior Researcher in Supply Chain & Business Informatics at Wageningen University & Research, highlights the transformative potential of AI: "𝐀𝐈 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤𝐬 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐫, 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬." 📊 By combining diverse data streams with smart algorithms, growers can make better-informed decisions and optimize their cultivation processes. Verdouw emphasizes the importance of integration: "𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲. 𝐀𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬." 💡 Innovations like the 𝗘𝗿𝗳𝗚𝗼𝗲𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 and 𝗔𝗶𝗿𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 support this transformation by providing critical insights into water quality, fertilization, and microclimates, fostering more sustainable and resilient cultivation practices. 👉 Read more: https://hubs.ly/Q031dgR10 #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #SustainableHorticulture #Growers #ErfGoed #Revolution

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Dutch greenhouse growers already put a lot of effort in reducing energy consumption. In fact it may well be the only sector on track to meet the 2030 climate goals. For instance the average energy consumption in chrysanthemum cultivation was 28 natural gas equivalents per square meter per year in 2018. Currently, that is reduced to 24 natural gas equivalents. In low energy cultivations, it can sometimes be challenging to produce the high quality growers are aiming for. The research institute for Greenhouse Horticulture of Wageningen Plant Research is therefor investigating the balances and challenges of growing high quality crops, for instance chrysanthemum, in energy saving conditions. The knowledge from this project will help the growers in the transition to fossil-fuel free cultivation. https://lnkd.in/ex_E9rub

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Intersting paper on organic in the Netherlands: Boost organic in the Netherlands - Based on best practices of Austria and France, commissioned by the Robin Food Coalition. From the executive summary: In the Netherlands, conventional farmers are willing to convert to organic, but do not have the knowledge, support, and money to do so. Moreover, retailers are restricted and consumer demand for organic is lacking. In Austria, organic farmers are well-supported, causing a cohesive organic sector. Additionally, retailers are supported, and consumers have a high demand for locally/regionally produced foods, which are associated with organic. In France, the government has set money aside for the organic transition, which has been normalised, and has knowledge support systems. Increased media attention and public debates about the benefits of organic doubled consumer demand. Conclusion: Based on the applicability analysis and literature study, the applicability of the best practices in Austria and France for implementation in the Netherlands are evaluated. This has resulted in 14 recommendations, categorised in three focus points: 1. equal playing field, 2. increase demand, and 3. support cohesion for production chain. The study is available at: https://lnkd.in/dYayumzw #OrganicNetherlands, #OrganicAustria, #OrganicFrance

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𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱: 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻, 𝗣𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 🌾 Dronten, the agricultural heartland of Provincie Flevoland, is our focus in this episode of Explore Flevoland. Known for its innovative farming techniques and robust agribusiness sector, Dronten is an ideal location for businesses in agriculture and related industries.   Gemeente Dronten has had a strong position in agro and food since its very beginning. Not only in terms of primary production, but also in trade, supply, processing and export. Dronten has a special position in organic farming. For years, most organic farms in the Netherlands have been in the municipality of Dronten. Dronten's agricultural excellence is supported by the presence of Aeres Hogeschool Dronten, a leading institution in agricultural education and research. This university plays a crucial role in driving agricultural innovation, providing businesses with access to cutting-edge research, skilled graduates and industry collaboration. The synergy between academia and industry in Dronten creates a thriving environment for agribusiness. Dronten also benefits from excellent logistics and infrastructure, facilitating the efficient transport of agricultural products to national and international markets. Its strategic location in the heart of Flevoland ensures easy access to major highways, ports, and distribution networks. For businesses in sectors such as crop production, agritech and food processing, Dronten offers fertile ground for growth and innovation. The municipality's focus on sustainable and innovative farming practices, coupled with its strong support system, makes it a prime destination for agribusiness ventures. Invest in the future of agriculture in Dronten and join a community at the forefront of agricultural innovation! 🚜💼 🌱💡Want to know more? Contact Ties Elzinga, Qing Marr-Li, Diederik van der Toorn, Eric Hanson, Ellen Wermink or Zoë Overmars. Would you like to get a better impression of Dronten Municipality? Come to Dronten or click on the link in the comments to watch a video of Dronten Municipality. #Dronten #Agribusiness #FlevolandBusinessSeries #Flevoland #InvestInFlevoland

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🌱 System Change in Agriculture: Transition or Continuous Development? 🌱 At our latest #LeboTalk, inspired by Minister Femke Wiersma’s comments, we explored whether agriculture’s evolution is best seen as “continuous development” or a “transition.” We invited Prof. Cees Leeuwis to reflect and kick off the one hour event, where he shared: "A true transition is more than gradual change—it’s a systemic shift driven by new values, policies, and radical outcomes." "Looking back, agriculture’s past transformations—from land consolidation to EU policies—were not just developments; they were value-driven transitions with both growth and costs. Now, as we envision a sustainable, zero-emissions future for agriculture, similar political commitment and systemic innovation are essential." Read Prof. Leeuwis full opinion article about System Transitions and Political Will here: https://lnkd.in/etxfpAvN At Wageningen’s Social Sciences Group (SSG), we’re committed to helping drive this change. By working with real-life coalitions and rethinking how we organize and innovate, SSG can play a key role in shaping a sustainable food future. 👉 How can academia best support systemic change? Share your thoughts below! #AgriculturalTransition #SustainableAgriculture #SSG #SystemChange

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