Netherlands: Rose Grower Zuurbier to start with tomato seeds

To further broaden the product range and to create new jobs, the East African branch also focuses on the cultivation of hybrid tomato seeds for growers in the Mediterranean region, the Sahel and the tropics. Hybrid seeds, a cross between two parental lines, are characterized by improved germination, higher production and uniform quality.

"Producing hybrid seeds in my experience is akin to agriculture 2.0, because a lot of knowledge is needed. The demands on hygiene and production protocols are, compared to current horticulture, a huge step forward," said Rosaline Zuurbier. This year, the production unit is being built and large-scale cultivation of tomato seeds will commence.

According to Zuurbier she can further develop her business and set up a sector-wide innovation-knowledge network thanks to the international financing program by RVO.nl. "Banks won’t usually finance operations like these, so we’re very happy to have the RVO to back us up. A self-financing plan would have been too risky. In the Netherlands, we are accustomed to investing in the agricultural and horticultural areas. In a developing country you have to take into account many external factors, such as political situation and currency. The RVO.nl program gives us the opportunity to broaden our business into a sector that mainly consists of growing roses."

In providing international financing, it is important that an idea is promising and that the CSR has high priority. In Kenya, the operation has nearly all CSR certificates, such as EPA MPS-A, KFC-silver, Fair Flowers, Fair Plants, Global-GAP, and very soon the Fair Trade label. Other social issues include Woman’s Rights, proper wages and the environment.