Agtech Collaboration Between the UK and The Netherlands Highlights Latest Horticultural Innovation

By Hortidaily

Hortidaily reports representatives of seven UK organizations have started a three-day tour of agricultural R&D sites in the Netherlands. The tour will highlight the newest developments in agricultural and horticultural innovation as well as the policies driving them.

Among the organizations are the four UK-Tech Centres, who – together with the Dutch Wageningen University & Research (WUR) – announced last month they are progressing a sustainable farming partnership to seek to establish new, joint opportunities for innovative public-private partnerships in agrifood science and business. Although the WUR has collaborated most with UK scientist (of all global organizations), the cooperation had been mostly on ad hoc basis. The WUR stated it now has a partner of considerable reach in the UK, looking at the strengths, connectivity and scope of the UK national Agri-Tech Centres.

Both the UK and the Netherlands are looking for innovative solutions to help meet the challenges of sustainable global food production, including reducing its environmental impact. The UK innovation centres will visit Seed Valley, a leading centre in plant breeding and seed technology. Companies in Seed Valley develop new flower and vegetable varieties like mini cauliflower or hamburger lettuce: improved varieties that give higher yields, are resistant to drought, are suitable for modern cultivation methods, or which can help reduce food waste.