News » 05.09.2024 - NL: Reduce plant protection products and continue to attract consumers
The Dutch floriculture sector is on the brink of a major transition: largely replacing chemical crop protection agents with natural alternatives and biological control agents. This change will likely affect the final product, including its quality, appearance, and the presence of biological control agents and residues. This raises a crucial question: how will trade and consumers receive these more sustainably produced ornamental plant products?
This question is the focus of the upcoming third edition of Horticulture Tomorrow, which will begin in autumn 2024, made possible by TKI Horticulture & Starting Materials. The aim of this edition is to develop a concrete plan for the trade of more sustainably produced floriculture products. Led by Peter Ravensbergen of Wageningen University & Research and Coen Hubers of ACCEZ, around 30 participants and industry experts will work on the challenges and future perspectives of the horticultural sector over three sessions.
Coen states, "The reduction of chemical crop protection products has far-reaching consequences for the entire chain. From breeder to consumer, everyone has to get used to a new definition of quality. This requires adaptation and a willingness to embrace a different product image. We are asking growers to use fewer plant protection products, while at the same time we must continue to attract consumers with an appealing end product."
Energy transition action plans
Horticulture Tomorrow is an initiative that brings together greenhouse horticulture experts to share knowledge, connect, and develop future visions around current themes within the sector. The initiative is for and by the sector, with around 30 experts and entrepreneurs developing action plans, lobbying strategies, white papers, or vision documents during various sessions. A second successful edition of Horticulture Tomorrow was completed in spring 2024, focusing on the energy transition within the Dutch greenhouse horticulture sector. Four action plans aimed at accelerating this transition were presented during GreenTech Amsterdam: the energy transition plan, the area approach, lighthouses, and greenboxes. The ultimate goal is to produce climate-neutral flowers, plants, vegetables, and fruit by 2040.
Powerful to concrete actions
Coen Hubers emphasizes: "This spring, Horticulture Tomorrow has proven itself to be a powerful instrument for developing a vision with a broad group of experts and stakeholders in a short time and turning it into concrete actions. After 'internationalization' and 'energy,' the 'healthy plant' theme is the next topic to which ACCEZ is making an important contribution." Horticulture Tomorrow aims to grow into an ongoing research program leading trends, technologies, and developments in the horticultural sector. Each year, new topics are addressed, the findings of which form a valuable knowledge base for the sector.
Source: www.floraldaily.com
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