On 26 September, Glastuinbouw Nederland, in collaboration with Delphy, organized a meeting on the energy crisis, especially for growers of strawberries under glass from the information program Kas als Energiebron (Greenhouse as a Source of Energy).
Several speakers on Monday, 26 September, discussed the options and choices available to growers to reduce energy costs and how strawberries can still be grown under current conditions.
During the meeting, Alexander Formsma, policy specialist Energy & Climate at Glastuinbouw Nederland, spoke about the various policy issues currently in play around energy. Barry Dorrestijn of Delphy took the growers through the possibilities of how greenhouse strawberries can be grown even more energy-efficiently. There are also a lot of uncertainties around gas and electricity supplies. What choices do I have as an entrepreneur in terms of energy costs with a gas boiler or a CHP? What are the options in pricing? What if my contract expires and I have to look for a new supplier? All questions entrepreneurs could ask Peter van den Berg, director of Agro Energy, on that evening.
Strategy
The evening ended with an outline of the future perspective, seen from the research angle, by Bart Jongenelen, manager of Delphy ISFC. From the research, the 'cultivation of tomorrow' is being worked on from various angles. There are opportunities for further efficiency gains through exposure and optimization of existing cultivation strategies and the development of new cultivation strategies.
"But remember that in today's situation, the worst strategy is to have no strategy," was the main message. The evening brought food for thought. The speakers at the meeting may be approached by growers to discuss it further.
Source: Glastuinbouw Nederland