Syngenta is going to build a new demo greenhouse for tomatoes. The new 1.4 hectares greenhouse is being built in Maasland in the Netherlands. On the 17th of May, Arend Schot, Head EAME vegetable seeds at Syngenta and Arjan Bassie, Managing Director at Hortics Ltd. and future administrator, both signed a contract together.
The demo greenhouse’s main purpose is to function as an R&D location with an important role in the development of different tomato breeds for the future. Besides that, the greenhouse will also be an important meeting point where research and market can come together and where the costumers and other relations can come to see the current and future product range.
Syngenta invests in speeding up the innovation process in order to find the best possible solution from growers, mass retailers, consumers and the environment in today’s ever-changing market. Arend Schot: “Syngenta has been focusing on the development of breeds that fall in line with the wishes of consumers for decennia: flavor, ease, diversity, sustainability, and reliability. The snack tomato breeds, Angelle and Sweetelle are great examples of this, and we can only do this thanks to the cooperation with our partners throughout the retail chain. With our new demo greenhouse, we create a meeting point where we can share experience and come up with innovative ideas with our retail partners.”
Modern and sustainable
Syngenta is a market leader in many tomato related areas and this investment is an important tool to further expand their position. The greenhouse allows the breeding company to select the breeds under the right conditions in both exposed and unexposed cultivation. The greenhouse is very modern, allowing for faster and more efficient breeding and anticipates the global increase in new technology.
The new greenhouse will be equipped with a sustainable energy system for warm water and electricity, and with different techniques to ensure a more energy efficient cultivation. The possibility of joining the geothermal network in the area is also being explored.
The greenhouse will feature many different departments for both exposed and unexposed cultivation and will have a total cultivation surface of 14,000 m2, of which 1,500 m2 will be open to the public. The reception room will offer the possibility to organize events and meetings. It is expected that the new R&D location will be fully operational in the spring of 2020.
For more information:
Syngenta
www.syngenta.nl