'More diversity and balance in leadership'

Added on 29 September 2022

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'More diversity and balance in leadership'

Horticulture, the technology part in particular, is quite a masculine driven sector. There is nothing wrong with that, of course. However, a more inclusive approach can contribute to an even more successful sector, say Eva Dahlqvist, Karin van der Eijk and Mariska Dreschler.

Horticulture is developing worldwide at a rapid pace. More and more new companies are added to the industry and the growing world population drives the demand for smart food production systems. Governments want to be less dependent on the import of food and be more self-sufficient. Protected horticulture is getting more popular as well, due to climate change and better crop control. The horticulture market is still growing. There is a big increase of investments in agtech worldwide. Green is hot. On the demand side we see investors, governments, policymakers and on the supplier's side we see industry leaders from outside the sector such as automotive, robotics and IT entering the horticulture market.

Encouraging female governance
High tech horticulture needs to adapt to these new customers, because growing populations need smart, regional solutions in cooperation with these other sectors. Other sectors can also inspire and help the horticulture with their new solutions to produce more sustainable. Think about the (renewable) energy sector with geothermal and solar/wind, the automotive industry (automation, robotization), water treatment solutions from the water sector etc. In order to adapt to these changes, a more inclusive approach can play an important role, says Eva Dahlqvist. She started The Ladies Circle (TLC) five years ago together with her friend Flora Späth and some business friends. It is a European network of ladies in leadership positions within the floricultural sector. "Currently women are still underrepresented in floricultural management. But we believe women have a different perspective and can contribute with an alternative approach towards business leadership. By encouraging female governance in our beautiful industry, it will complement successful male leaders and their viewpoints, and lead to increased diversity and balance. We therefore all agreed that there was a need for women in leading positions to get together and inspire each other. Since we started, I have been one of the initiators and leaders of the organization, trying to encourage female leaders to help each other grow and develop and to support each other."

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Written by Jacco Strating