China is facing a strong urbanization of its population and a growing demand for fresh and safe food by that urban population. To meet this demand, the Chinese government wants to modernize its agricultural sector. The current productivity per hectare is low, water use is high and suitable agricultural land is scarce and saline. In addition to technological innovation, the Chinese labor force must be trained to make this change in the agricultural sector.
This offers a great opportunity for the Dutch horticulture industry, as a forerunner in the world, to export knowledge, technology, services and concepts and to implement them in China.
As of January 2021, DGD has started a PIB together with RVO. PIB stands for Partners for International Business and is a program that allows Dutch companies to realise their international ambitions in a public-private partnership. This PIB, called ‘NL Protected Agri Alliance China’, aims to position the Dutch greenhouse horticulture sector in China as the cooperation partner for the development and implementation of integral and sustainable high-tech greenhouse horticulture agroparks near metropolitan areas.
The Netherlands is a specialist in combining all parties in the horticultural sector in a coherent agro-cluster at a single geographical location. We are promoting this cluster concept in China based on an ecosystem approach. The Netherlands is also a leader in the field of sustainable and energy-efficient greenhouse horticulture based on an increasing number of sustainable energy sources (including solar energy, geothermal energy, biofuels and combined heat and power plants), the use of LED lighting and the capture of CO2 released by heating the greenhouse. Efficient use of its own residual streams and those of other parties in the area is an important component of this.
There is a huge export potential in the future, because more and more Chinese are living in metropolitan areas. This potential applies to both SMEs and large companies that will work together to conquer this metropolitan market.
By joining forces, horticultural companies, the Dutch government, and knowledge institutions can present themselves more strongly than individual parties.
Dutch Greenhouse Delta coordinates the PIB NL Protected Agri Alliance China , in close cooperation with the Dutch government and embassy network. These companies are the cluster members:
This whitepaper explains how Dutch knowledge and innovative technology can help China with sustainable and safe food production.
Learn more about the specific challenges, chances, and solutions, discussed by the China experts working for Dutch horticultural suppliers. Also, successful Dutch projects in China, are presented in this whitepaper.
Several parties and China experts have contributed to the paper, such as Dutch Greenhouse Delta, Hoogendoorn Growth Management, KUBO, Ridder, Signify, and Svensson.
At the 2023 Haiyang Green Energy Development Special Conference held at the Bajiao Bay International Convention and Exhibition Center in Yantai on August 30, 2023,
The Dutch PIB China cluster “NL Protected Agri Alliance China’ successfully participated at the 25th Hortiflorexpo IPM Shanghai. After three years of absence, the Dutch
The horticultural sector in China is on the rise; the country is increasingly focusing on its own food supply. This brings with it the necessary challenges, among others in the field of energy and water consumption, labor, and knowledge. Hoogendoorn Asia tries to support Chinese market gardeners in various areas, together with a partner such as DGD. “Sustainability also means entering into partnerships with parties who have the same values and are pursuing the same dream.”
Location: Tibet
Crop: Tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelons, and other vegetables and fruits
Type: Hydroponic
Surface: 3.328 m²
Location: Shaanxi, China
Crop: Strawberries and vegetables
Type: High-tech advanced greenhouse
Surface: 75.000 m²
Location: Kaishenghaofeng, Laixi
Crop: Tomatoes
Type: Climate-controlled greenhouse
Surface: 140.000 m²
Location: Linxia International Flower Port, Gansu Provence
Crop: Cut roses
Location: Haisheng Pingliang, Gansu Provence
Crop: Cherry tomatoes, Young plants
Type: KUBO Ultra-Clima® greenhouse
Surface: 120.000 m²
Location: Baiyin City, Gansu provence
Crop: Tomatoes and cucumbers
Type: KUBO Ultra-Clima® greenhouse
Location: Beijing
Crop: Flowers
Type: Academy
Location: Shanghai
Crop: Tomatoes, cucumbers,
peppers and lettuce
Type: semi closed greenhouse
Surface: 20.000 m²
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