Pcfruit vzw, a practical research centre for fruit growing based in Sint-Truiden in the Belgian province of Limburg, has inaugurated a new research greenhouse as part of a broader infrastructure project worth more than €1.7 million. The investment was co-financed through the Flemish Agricultural Investment Fund (VLIF) and a €750,000 provincial grant from the Province of Limburg. The project was realised under the VLIF programme, which supported pcfruit's development as the primary Flemish knowledge cluster for the fruit growing sector.
"These investments are crucial to enabling us to continue fulfilling our role as a research centre," explained pcfruit director Danny Bylemans. "We need to offer growers today solutions for the challenges of tomorrow. Think of climate adaptation, sustainable crop protection and new cultivation systems. Thanks to this support, we can carry out research in conditions that closely mirror real-world practice, which significantly increases the relevance of our results."
Efforts were not only focused on the renovation and expansion of the research greenhouse, but also on installing canopies for cherries, hail nets for stone fruit, expanding the strawberry tray field, installing new substrate cultivation systems (Mini-Air), realising an innovative agrivoltaic setup and replacing a plant growth chamber.
© Kabinet Jo Brouns
Beyond the new research greenhouse, the investment package includes the installation of rain covers for cherries, hail nets for pome fruit, an expansion of the tray field for strawberries, new substrate cultivation systems (mini-airs), an agrivoltaics installation, and the replacement of a plant growth chamber.
The upgrades are designed to address the growing impact of climate change, pressure from invasive species, and the need for more sustainable production systems.
Pcfruit received 50% subsidy through VLIF, amounting to nearly €1 million, with the Province of Limburg contributing the remaining €750,000.
Flemish Minister of Agriculture Jo Brouns commented: "This new research greenhouse at pcfruit is a significant strengthening of practice-oriented fruit research in Flanders. With nearly €1 million in VLIF support, we are investing specifically in innovation that helps growers move forward with concrete, workable applications in the field. The loss of conventional crop protection products makes new, sustainable solutions necessary. Modern research infrastructure gives our fruit sector the tools to remain resilient, sustainable, and competitive."
Provincial Deputy for Agriculture and pcfruit chair Inge Moors added: "The fruit sector is one of the cornerstones of our Limburg economy. With this provincial investment of €750,000, we are supporting research that is directly translated into grower practice. We are helping our growers become more resilient against extreme weather and to produce more sustainably. This is an investment in the future of our agriculture and our region."
Source: Kabinet Jo Brouns
