Gert Stiekema, Dir. Int. Strategy Topsector Horticulture & Starting Mat., his vision on the future of horticulture

The future of sustainable horticulture is in our hands – let’s join forces!’

Making the world a better place. More sustainable. Without poverty and inequality.
A world in which we put a stop to climate change. And in which food problems are solved.

The United Nations expressed this vision in practical terms in 2015 through the Sustainable Development Goals. Ambitious goals that challenge entrepreneurs and scientists worldwide to develop pioneering solutions and contribute to growth. The horticulture sector as a supply chain – from “farm to fork” - has a major impact on the production of safe food and a green environment, the use of clean energy and innovative developments in sustainable production.

Over the past decades, the Netherlands has gained a reputation with world-class botanic and technical science; highly innovative businesses in the sector – breeders, propagators, growers, marketing and logistics and last but not least builders of greenhouse and related climate control systems often come top globally in their field. This position gives us responsibility for co-creating the future of farming, not only in the Netherlands but anywhere in the world.

As a top sector, we are in the heart of developing new innovations via a public private cooperation that go beyond borders. Our horticulture cluster - companies, researchers and government - are active worldwide and contributing to the availability of safe and sound food, greener cities ánd the earning capacity of local companies. The Netherlands is open for cooperation with you through knowledge sharing and co-creating solutions for global ánd local challenges.
Let's create the future of farming together!