Introduction
The Netherlands is the second-largest exporter of agricultural food products in the world. In 2050, there will be nine billion mouths to feed in the world. This is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Dutch entrepreneurs and researchers are eager to address and solve global challenges. In order to achieve this aim, the Netherlands is making considerable investments in high-quality research to develop new, functional, agricultural food products and upgrade standard foodstuffs to high-value ones, with the aim to become a global leader in terms of innovation.
On the special occasion of the 5th China Shanghai International Technology Fair (CSITF) and the Netherlands as Guest Country of Honor, an agricultural innovation mission to Beijing and Shanghai will take place from April 22 until April 27. The Dutch Minister for Agriculture Martijn van Dam will lead this innovation mission.
China’s strategy
China will have to make great steps in the coming years to ensure the food supply for the future. Large population, a limited area suitable for agriculture and climate changes (drought, natural disasters, water scarcity) make it necessary for more efficient use of the available resources. Following these challenges, the Ministry for Agriculture pushes forward a strategic policy promoting technological development, quality improvement and increasing the comprehensive benefits and competitiveness of the agricultural sector.
The Netherlands and China do work a lot together in the agricultural sector. Traditionally this collaboration focussed mainly on the direct export of agricultural products (pork meat, milk powder etc)). Recently, an increasing interest has been noticed from Chinese counterparts in the field of agricultural optimisation and automation technologies. Agricultural research and development is an absolute strength of the Netherlands and therefore we see many opportunities for Sino-Dutch collaboration; both academically and commercially.
Focus of the Innovation Mission
Under the lead of Dutch Minister for Agriculture Martijn van Dam, the agricultural innovation mission will focus on sustainable agricultural food technologies. This mission aims to promote business opportunities in the field of agricultural technologies between China and the Netherlands and enhance the collaboration in the field of agricultural technologies among governments, knowledge institutions and industries.
A special seminar on “Sustainable Agro-food Technologies: Experiences in the Netherlands and China” will be organised by the Holland Innovation Network China on April 21 from 9:30-11:30 at the CSITF venue.
Companies attending
The following companies and organisations will participate in the “Agricultural Technologies Innovation Mission” and/or will be present at the CSITF:
* Wageningen University & Research
* Protix Biosystems B.V.
* Dorset Green Machines B.V.
* Noldus Information Technology B.V.
* InnovationQuarter
* Priva
More Information
For more information about the Dutch Agricultural Sector, please see the links below.
- Made in Holland, Agrifood
- Structural Reform in Agriculture, press conference SCIO
- Innovation key to supply-side structural reform in agriculture