"Horticulture can become World Champion in Energy Transition"

The Greenport is on the right track to the 'next economy'. What is required now, is small scale cooperations with new fresh parties from inside and outside the horticulture cluster. That was the most important message of the speakers during the fourth Annual Event of Greenport West-Holland.

Greenport West-Holland is the regional network organisation of government, business, educational institutes and knowledge institutes. Greenport held the Annual Event for the fourth time. This year the theme was 'Next Economy - Next Greenport.' This year the gathering took place at the 80-year old Anthura in Bleiswijk, and drew around 24 visitors.

"Start with a small and deep support"
The Greenport of the future looks radically different from today, according to professor of transition Jan Rotmans. This is mostly because of the fossil fuels becoming less available and because growing and selling products is not a future proof business model. "In 20 years we will not make much money on growing tomatoes, because they can do that elsewhere. What are we going to do? We are going to be the healthiest region in the world."

A transition is required at all parties in the regional horticulture cluster. "It's not about the money you make now, but what makes your money in twenty years." To achieve that you have to think outside the box, according to Rotmans. Small clubs of 'fresh thinkers' can develop new economies, as has happened in the region Eindhoven, where old Philips buildings were freed up for start-ups. "You can't start with a large support, because it invokes resistance. You have to start with a small and deep support."

World champion Energy transition

Horticulture is doing fairly well at this point, according to Koornstra. Even more, the sector has the potential to become World champion Energy Transition. An example of this are the initiatives in the field of geothermics, unrivaled in any other sector and branches in other countries. The sector can transform this advantage into economic opportunities. But, Koorstra advised, you have to work together to produce healthy business models.

Deputy Han Weber also spoke about the energy transition and the importance of the new entrepreneur. "It is a learning process." He called on the sector to work at sustainable cooperations, as is happening at the company grounds Nieuw Reijerwaard. "And work on the relations with the surrounding residents."

Another important subject during the Annual Event was digitization, one of the other pillars of the Roadmap New Economy. Berry Vetjes, ambassador Roadmap Next Economy Smart Digital Delta and Business Director at TNO, said the following about the future of the digital developments in horticulture. "There comes a moment that we indicate a tomato by the amount of attention it has gotten measured in terabytes."

Various entrepreneurs told what developments have already arrived. Axel Persoon, Tuinder Tom, showed what role data can play in the horticultural chain, and Lucien Fesselet, startup Applied Drone Innovation, showed the possibilities of drones. "Drones are not yet much used in greenhouses, because it is quite complicated for a drone to determine its own position. We have found a solution to that problem."

Tuinder Tom and Applied Drone Innovations are two successful examples of digitization in horticulture. But it happens all too often that young companies from 'outside' can hardly get access to the sector, according to some. That while cross-overs can bring about changes. Rotmans: "To change you need people from the outside, because transitions happen against the establishment."