Next step in Dutch–Indian collaboration for sustainable food production

From 27 October to 2 November, the Dutch horticultural cluster HortiRoad2India will return to India for a mission that marks the start of a new and defining phase in the collaboration between Dutch and Indian partners. After three years of joint research, design, and pilot projects, this is the moment where plans turn into practice. The partnership's work on building sustainable and high-quality food systems is now entering implementation. Our tailor-made and newly developed blueprint are major steps towards transforming India's horticultural landscape into a future-proof food system.

Co-creating a sustainable horticulture ecosystem
India's rapidly growing economy and middle-class are creating enormous opportunities in the field of food production. Demand for safe, high-quality fruits and vegetables is rising fast, while the country is also facing challenges related to water use, climate change, and urbanisation. In this dynamic context, the HortiRoad2India partnership — uniting the Dutch government, knowledge institutions, and leading horticultural companies — has spent the past three years developing a practical model for high-tech, sustainable cultivation tailored to India's conditions and ambitions.

© HortiRoad2India

"The Netherlands has cracked the code for large, profitable, and sustainable cultivation of fresh fruits and vegetables in controlled environments and captured it in a process and blueprint for success," says Desh Ramnath, coordinator of HortiRoad2India and Director India at Dutch Greenhouse Delta. "Together with Indian investors, retailers, and financiers, we are now bringing this blueprint to India, to grow crops that are healthier, safer, and more sustainable than ever before, while helping retailers meet rising demand for clean, pesticide-free food."

From collaboration to implementation
Through continuous exchange Dutch and Indian partners have co-created a comprehensive approach to sustainable food production. This integrated model combines Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) technologies with the ecosystem needed to make them work in practice: education and training, access to finance and insurance, and strong links with local retailers and investors. The result is a full-service concept that supports farmers, enables retailers to source consistent, high-quality produce, and provides consumers with safe and nutritious fruits and vegetables.

Upcoming mission to New Delhi, Bangalore and Punjab
During the upcoming mission, HortiRoad2India will host Reunion Sessions with partners in New Delhi and Bangalore, where one of the key milestones will be presenting the new blueprint for a new high-tech greenhouse in India. The program will then continue to Punjab, where the focus lies on new regional contacts, deepening partnerships, and preparing for the next phase of implementation.

"By combining Dutch expertise with local knowledge, we're creating solutions that are both commercially viable and socially impactful," says Tiffany Meijer, coordinator of HortiRoad2India and International Trade Manager at InnovationQuarter. "This collaboration contributes directly to food security, climate resilience, and healthier diets for India's growing population."

Towards India's first fully operational high-tech greenhouse
By the end of 2026, the first fully operational high-tech greenhouse in India is expected to start production. It will produce high-value crops that are pesticide-free, sustainable and available year-round. The technologies used are already proven, and designed to reduce the use of water, fertilisers, and energy while improving yields and shelf life.