Dutch expertise in ‘Vertical Farming’ applied in India

03-11-2017

An innovative conference on Vertical Farming took place this week in India. This conference marked the kickoff for the event ‘Holland meets Mumbai’, organized by the Dutch consulate. VHL University of Applied Sciences (VHL) played an important part in the event, together with HollandDoor and the Centre of Expertise Greenports.

In the large cities of India, where millions of people live closely together, fresh vegetables are hard to find. The logistic problems and high temperatures make it difficult to bring the products to the consumer while they’re still fresh. Vertical Farming, in India meaning the cultivation of vegetables inside buildings, can be a solution for this problem.

More information about this conference? Please read the article on the MBA Endezvous website.

The benefits of Vertical Farming

Vertical Farming makes it possible to bring fresh vegetables on the table within half an hour, which offers an opportunity to supermarkets and restaurants to use and sell fresh vegetables. The vegetables are cultivated with the use of special led lamps that give off the ideal wavelengths for development and growth, while consuming power in the most sustainable way.

Seed suppliers like Rijks Zwaan provide high quality seeds that are 99% guaranteed to grow. By cultivating indoors, the cultivation process can take place under controlled conditions and free of chemicals. Also climate has no influence indoors, which makes the production a year-round process.

Important contribution

Through collaborations with Baramati College and WeSchool, VHL has gained a lot of expertise in the Indian market and an understanding of the needs in metropolitan areas. Our University of Applied Sciences has a big network with which it can help Dutch companies enter the Indian market and bring Indian companies in contact with the right Dutch partners. Together we are working on new business models and developing new value chains.

Part of the trade mission

The conference ‘Vertical Farming’ is part of the trade mission of VHL in India that also included the establishment and signing of the Indo-Dutch Centre of Excellence Vegetables and the signing of an extensive collaboration agreement with Baramati Development Trust and Baramati College. Peter van Dongen, head of the Executive Board, Tjalling Huisman, director of the faculty of Animals and Business, and Arno de Snoo, project manager of the professorship Management of Forested Landscapes, were present on behalf of VHL.

Peter van Dongen: ‘It’s a great opportunity for Dutch students to do international research and to contribute to knowledge development. Also, more and more Indian students find their way to the Netherlands. They can do research at Dutch companies and bring their knowledge of India to the Netherlands. So it works both ways.’

An impression of the symposium Vertical Farming in India

Symposium Vertical Farming India
Symposium Vertical Farming India
Symposium Vertical Farming India