GROWING
TOGETHER
Mirjam Boekestijn, CEO of Dutch Greenhouse Delta, explains why the future of horticulture depends on integrated ecosystems that bring technology, knowledge and local partnerships together.
Around the world, horticulture faces growing pressure to strengthen food security, improve climate resilience and reduce the environmental impact of producing food, flowers and ornamental plants. Water scarcity, rapid urbanisation and changing market demands are adding to these challenges. Meeting them requires more than technological innovation alone.
High-tech greenhouses, advanced irrigation systems and climate control technologies play a vital role in improving productivity, quality and resource efficiency. Yet technology alone rarely delivers lasting impact. Its success depends on the knowledge, skills, infrastructure and collaboration needed to make it work in practice.
A CONNECTED APPROACH
This is where an integrated approach to horticulture becomes essential. Successful projects bring together technology, research, education, entrepreneurship, financing and government. By connecting these elements, countries can strengthen local capacity, build ownership and develop horticultural systems that remain resilient over time.
The Netherlands offers a strong example of this approach. The international strength of Dutch horticulture lies not only in its technological expertise but also in the close collaboration among businesses, knowledge institutions, educational organisations, and government. This connected ecosystem enables innovation to move from research into practice and brings together complementary expertise to address complex challenges across food production and ornamental horticulture.
From research and education to finance, energy and distribution, a connected horticultural ecosystem supports successful production of food crops, flowers and ornamental plants. Illustration supplied by Dutch Greenhouse Delta.
ADAPTING TO LOCAL NEEDS
For international markets, however, no one-size-fits-all solution exists. Climate conditions, water availability, market dynamics, infrastructure and local ambitions differ from country to country. Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) offers important opportunities to improve growing conditions and resource efficiency, whether for food crops, flowers or ornamental plants. Its potential depends on how well technologies and expertise are adapted to local realities.
This is why international cooperation must go beyond technology transfer. It requires understanding local needs and connecting them with the right knowledge, technologies and partners.
The future of horticulture depends not only on what technology can do, but on what people and partners can achieve together.
Mirjam Boekestijn CEO of Dutch Greenhouse Delta
BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS
Dutch Greenhouse Delta (DGD) helps make these connections. By bringing together Dutch horticultural businesses, knowledge institutions and public organisations with international partners, DGD supports the development of tailored approaches to horticulture. The aim is to connect Dutch expertise with local ambitions and create partnerships that contribute to long-term economic, environmental and social value.
As the global horticultural sector evolves, the question is no longer which technology to implement, but how to build the ecosystem that enables it to succeed, across food production, flowers and ornamental plants.
The future of horticulture depends not only on what technology can do, but on what people and partners can achieve together.
