Greenhouse horti sector: keep leading in sustainability!

I am often surprised by how many people do not know about the significant contribution that the greenhouse horticultural sector is making to this. For example, did you know that, compared to other cultivation methods, a high-tech greenhouse saves half of the water and up to 75% of the land? If you ask me, these are great figures and I feel that this story is not being told enough yet.

As Grodan, we want to be recognized for this cultivation method. That's why, together with Wageningen University, we carried out research on the sustainability of tomatoes grown in the high-tech greenhouse. The final results of this study are promising: tomatoes grown in the high-tech greenhouse scored highest on 7 out of 8 relevant sustainable development goals (SDGs), compared to other cultivation methods. Now we have concrete data to show that we can grow fruit and vegetables sustainably in the high-tech greenhouse. Fortunately, this story has been published by several media outlets.

The aforementioned media attention for sustainability in the high-tech greenhouse is desperately needed, but this attention is not enough. I see many opportunities for the sector which can, and must be, utilized to further accelerate our sustainability efforts and to increase knowledge about them. The sector must therefore include sustainability unconditionally as a focal point in its strategies. Additionally, the government will have to stimulate and regulate the sustainability efforts that are made in the horticultural sector. All in all, it is important that consumers ultimately pay a fair price for the end product. Supermarket chains will have to play a prominent role in this as well.

Tackling the challenge head-on

Firstly, we can accelerate our sustainability efforts by better directing the horticultural sector's innovative power towards climate-neutral cultivation. This shoe fits us perfectly, as we are already pioneers in sustainable production of fruit and vegetables. Think, for example, of the savings we are already making in terms of water and land.

But let's also take an honest look at ourselves: greenhouses consume too much energy and use pesticides. We must not wait and see, but tackle these challenges now and expand our pioneering role in sustainability. This is the moment for greenhouse horticulture to position itself in sustainable cultivation, where climate-neutral and pesticide-free growing will become the standard. Like this we can ensure that high-tech greenhouse horticulture excels worldwide and sets an example in the field of sustainability.

Positioning our sustainable cultivation method

We have a great story to tell in terms of sustainability and should be very proud of it. But the story of high-tech greenhouse horticulture is still too unclear and unknown. Therefore, I believe that as a sector we have to do a better job in demonstrating what our cultivation method stands for. We don't even have a name for our sustainable cultivation method! We are really cutting ourselves short there.

By jointly putting a clear positioning and name on the map, we would show how sustainable we truly are. This will also enable us to speed up the process of codifying the quality and standards of this cultivation method into law. By enshrining our production method into legislation, there can be a single recognizable standard for our cultivation method in the market, and we will ensure greater recognition of our sustainably grown fruit and vegetables. That would be fantastic!

Accelerating to a climate neutral 2050!

Let's continue to lead and join our forces. We have a fantastic story when it comes to sustainability, and this story needs to be told. We must continue improving our controlled, sustainable, safe and efficient way of growing and position this more clearly with the authorities and on the supermarket shelves. Only then will we be able to accelerate our steps towards the climate-neutral production of fruit and vegetables in Europe by 2050.

Source and Photo Courtesy of Grodan

Source: Grodan