Netherlands Pavilion at Gulfood Green: Pioneering Sustainable Agriculture Solutions for the UAE

In an exclusive interview with Simone Landhuis from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, Fisheries, and Nature, we explore the Netherlands Pavilion at Gulfood Green, a hub of innovation and sustainability in the Agrifood sector. The Pavilion, in collaboration with the Dutch Greenhouse Delta, presents a comprehensive portfolio of technologies designed for controlled environment agriculture, emphasising efficiency and resource conservation.

"The Netherlands will be hosting a booth together with our private sector partner Dutch Greenhouse Delta," says Landhuis. "We will be presenting a range of solutions in the controlled environment sector, from seeds to climate control, substrates, and greenhouses. Our goal is to provide the technology and knowledge needed to maximise production while minimising resource use. We invite everyone to visit us at Z3-C2."

 

Sustainability and Innovation

Q. How does the Netherlands Pavilion showcase the Netherlands' advancements in sustainable agriculture and the agri-food sector, particularly in the context of the UAE's vision for a sustainable food system?

The Netherlands is a about half the size of the UAE. By joining forces with knowledge institutes, NGO’s and the private sector, which we call the Dutch Diamond model, we have managed to build up our agricultural sector rapidly. Our approach makes for collaborating on the most pressing issues, which drives innovation and collaboration. Our slogan for this reason is “Solving Global Challenges Together”.

Q. Could you elaborate on the Netherlands' approach to water management and its contribution to agricultural efficiency and sustainability in arid environments?

As a delta country with more than half of the surface below sea level, we have a lot of experience keeping our feet dry. At the same time, we are very conscious of our water consumption. Per capita, we use only 127 litres per day. In the Gulf, this is easily 800 litres per person per day. Also in agriculture, we are going to great lengths to use little water. For instance, in open-field farming in the UAE, growing a kilogram of tomatoes requires about 200 litres of water. In the Netherlands, we looked at all the parameters and managed to reduce this to only 4 litres per kg of tomato in high-tech greenhouses.  Our expertise goes further; we have expertise in water quality, desalination, nanobubbles, and recycling of water, but also in rainwater retention and reducing algae growth without chemicals.

Local and Regional Impact

Q. How are you leveraging local expertise to strengthen food security in the UAE? Can you provide specific examples of how this collaboration works in practice?

Our Dutch Diamond approach also applies when we work internationally; we are working with local universities on capacity building, and G2G on the development of ecosystems for food clusters, but also in terms of technology we are always adapting to what we learn about local circumstances. A trivial example is the climate and weather and the impact this has on the deterioration of materials and the properties of seeds. Perhaps less trivial are the levels of salinity in the water and the soil, the availability and skill level of farm operators, the logistics in the cold chain and the top priorities in automation.

Q. Why is the UAE considered a key market for the Netherlands in terms of international expansion? How does your participation in Gulfood Green support this strategic objective?

Together with Dutch Greenhouse Delta, we are working on our presence in the Gulf. With the national priority of food security, there are many developments and projects where a contribution from the Netherlands would fit well. Being present at the first Gulfood Green is a perfect moment to connect with the various stakeholders in the industry.

Food Security

Q. Food security is a growing global concern. What specific initiatives or technologies from the Netherlands are being promoted at Gulfood Green to address food security challenges both in the UAE and globally?

For the Netherlands, a food systems approach is important. This includes all the links in the value chain, but also how we deal with streams traditionally labelled as “waste”. We will have speakers at the concurrent Food for Future summit, like Meiny Prins, who will talk about circular food systems in cities. Peter van Wingerden will share his experiences as an urban dairy farmer from the city centre of Rotterdam. Robert Jones of Mosa Meat will share his ideas on cellular agriculture or cultivated meat. The Good Food Institute will be representing the plant-based protein industry. And of course, at our booth, we will be showcasing the latest and greatest in the field of controlled environment agriculture.

Future Trends and Industry Evolution

Q. What are the major trends shaping the future of agriculture globally?

After Expo 2020 and COP28, we see an increased interest in the impact of agriculture on the planet. Whether it is biodiversity, depletion of natural resources such as fossil water, unpredictable weather patterns or the use of pesticides and fertilizers, these are factors that will play a more significant role. For the Netherlands, the choices of what we want to provide for the world, are based on these sustainability aspects. In the Netherlands, the source of many a debate is the impact of agriculture on greenhouse gasses, biodiversity, animal welfare and water quality, while carefully weighing the economic contributions of the sector. This requires innovation, collaboration, and some critical reflection. A shift from a focus on production and export towards technology and knowledge export will positively impact food security and sustainability worldwide.

Q. In light of recent challenges such as food inflation and geopolitical crises, how has international collaboration in the food and beverage industry evolved?

Disrupted supply chains, rising prices of raw materials but also climate change will cause widespread transformation in the international food and beverage industries. These industries must adapt by restructuring supply chains and innovating products. In the long term, the industry may see more local production and sourcing, maybe consolidation, and shifts towards alternative food systems as companies aim to mitigate future risks.

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The Netherlands Pavilion at Gulfood Green stands as a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration in creating sustainable solutions for the future of agriculture in the UAE and beyond. Visitors are encouraged to engage with these transformative ideas at booth Z3-C2, where a sustainable agricultural future is being shaped. Register today.