Internationally Dutch horticulture might be seen as progressive and innovative, yet in the Netherlands, it's not as much appreciated. Especially in the light of the current emissions debate, it's often asked why a small country like the Netherlands should produce vegetables for exporting since the emissions are for the Dutch population. Painful to read, says Dirk Aleven with FoodVentures.
"It's painful to read how the Dutch press presents greenhouse-grown vegetables in the recent emission debates. It is simply not correct. Greenhouse growing is the most sustainable way of producing safe nutrients close to urban areas. This has been repeatedly confirmed in studies of the world's leading Agri university WUR." He adds that when the heating source is chosen smartly, it is a proven solution, both for the environment and financially.
"Dutch growers use gas turbines as we do in our projects as well. These turbines are more efficient than the large energy producers and can easily be started/stopped in order to stabilize the grit. Something which is becoming a big hurdle in the current energy transition", he says. "Now, on top of that, the heat produced to cool the machines (which large producers often dump in the river or sea) is used to create the optimal climate for the plant. The CO2 is offered to the plants, and by the natural photosynthesis, it transforms into fresh vitamines."
These are not some fairytales about future solutions. "This is common practice in the Netherlands and something to be proud of. It is exactly this proven solution that FoodVentures believes needs to be implemented worldwide to serve the need for healthy food in urban areas."