Dutch covenant creates opportunities in India

Dutch companies and research institutes, endorsed by the Dutch government are going to work together to provide solutions and improvements for Indian horticulture. This public-private partnership focuses on different types of fruit including soft fruit for temperate climates such as in the Himalayas.

On 14 November 2016, a cluster of Dutch companies and knowledge institutes and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RvO.nl) in The Hague signed a covenant as part of the Partners for International Business (PIB) program. This provides great opportunities for Dutch businesses. India is the second largest producer of fruit and contributes ten percent of fruit production worldwide. In the coming years the Indian government plans to replace existing orchards. This will increase the demand for temperate fruit trees, in particular apple trees, as well as pear, cherry and walnut trees. The covenant is expected to increase India’s market position in India significantly. The focus will be on the sustainable positioning of the Dutch approach in the Indian fruit sector providing solutions to challenges such as food security, health, food quality and reducing losses. Also promoting the exchange of knowledge between Dutch and Indian research institutes will contribute to developing sustainable relationships. Mr. Jan Neele has been appointed coordinator on behalf of the cluster of companies.

Doubling food production in the next five years
The cluster consists of a combination of eight companies (Verbeek Nurseries, Nursery Westhof, Neele Export, AgroHolland BV, Vissers Plant Innovators, Fruvo BV, Rootstrock BV and Nursery Fleuren) and one research institute (Wellantcollege). The companies in the cluster will work together to position the Netherlands as a knowledge partner for the production of plant material and corresponding post-harvest handling techniques at farm level (storage, packing, sorting and processing). The partners will share their knowledge with the Indian institutes and they expect this to generate more business with India. For this purpose, activities will be organised such as trade missions, matchmaking events, knowledge exchanges and participation at trade fairs. This partnership will work in close cooperation with the Dutch Agriculture Department at the Embassy in New Delhi.

Partners for International Business (PIB)
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency executes the program Partners for International Business as commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.