India’s horticulture sector is on the cusp of a major transformation! Thanks to a pioneering collaboration with the Dutch government, advanced, AI-powered technology is set to revolutionize food production across the country. This exciting initiative aims to cultivate pesticide-free produce in cutting-edge greenhouses, prioritizing both water conservation and energy efficiency.
At its core, this project champions technologies and methods designed to grow food crops in a truly climate-resilient way. The Dutch horticulture industry has established a powerful consortium, aptly named HortiRoad2India, as a public-private partnership. This group is now eagerly seeking to partner with Indian stakeholders to bring their vision to life.
Understanding India’s Unique Needs
According to Tiffany Meijer, Project Manager for International Trade in the Dutch horticulture sector and co-lead for HortiRoad2India, the Dutch team dedicated five intensive years to thoroughly understanding India’s specific agricultural needs. This in-depth study has culminated in the development of a highly comprehensive and tailored technological package.
Desh Ramnath, Director and coordinator of HortiRoad22India, highlights the initiative’s pragmatic and holistic nature. He explains that it encompasses technology consulting, extensive education and training programs, and robust market linkages. Ramnath proudly adds, “We’ve even developed innovative finance models in collaboration with Indian banks and the Dutch government, making this accessible for local farmers.”
The Dutch offering includes both mid-tech and high-tech greenhouse solutions. This means constructing advanced glass houses, a significant upgrade from conventional polyhouses, to ensure exceptional efficiency and climate resilience. The specific technology chosen, whether mid-tech or high-tech, will be carefully matched to the crops being cultivated. For instance, high-tech glass houses are ideal for strawberries, colored capsicum, cherry tomatoes, microgreens, and lettuce, while mid-tech greenhouses are perfect for tomato cultivation.
Ramnath emphasizes the environmental and financial sustainability of their technology. “We use an astonishing 96% less water compared to traditional open-field farming,” he states, “and achieve up to 30 times higher yields, especially for crops like tomatoes.” He confirms their commitment to entirely pesticide-free cultivation, relying solely on biological control methods for pest management. Furthermore, they exclusively utilize disease-resistant hybrid varieties, completely avoiding genetically modified crops. “Our ultimate goal,” he adds, “is to produce ‘clean food’ that’s ready to eat, without the need for washing.”
Strategic Urban Proximity
A key strategy is to establish clusters of high-value crop greenhouses strategically near major cities. This minimizes transportation losses, ensuring fresher produce reaches consumers efficiently. “We are actively developing new glass house projects in Bengaluru, Chennai, and Punjab,” Ramnath reveals, “collaborating with local farmers who are investing in this advanced infrastructure.”
Reinforcing the benefits of the cluster model, I. M. (Ivo) Meijer, Senior Manager for International & Economic Affairs at the Dutch government’s Policy/Economics Department, highlights the significant food wastage in India due to post-harvest losses. He explains that the Dutch initiative will also tackle this issue by establishing a robust network of cold storage units.
Ewout de Wit, Dutch Consul General to South India, states that this ambitious initiative promises a dual benefit: ensuring a steady supply of clean, pesticide-free food for consumers, and guaranteeing sustainable incomes for farmers. He foresees farming evolving into a more technical profession, thus creating additional employment opportunities in rural communities. “This technology allows for flexible production unit placement near ports, markets, or consumption centers,” de Wit explains, “optimizing for both local supply and export potential.”
A Farmer’s Success Story Near Bengaluru
Meet Ramakrishna, a visionary farmer in Bengaluru, who is embarking on a new high-tech greenhouse project with Dutch collaboration to cultivate strawberries. Currently, through his company, The Bengaluru Berry Company, he cultivates strawberries on 12 acres in Malur, offering a popular ‘pick-your-own’ experience for consumers.
“I’ve been successful in growing high-quality, in-demand berries, and people love coming to our farm to pick them,” Ramakrishna shares. “However, my current production is seasonal, and I simply can’t keep up with the demand. That’s why I’m embracing this Dutch technology – to significantly boost my output.” Interestingly, Ramakrishna is a mechanical engineer who left his IT career just a few years ago to pursue his passion for farming.
Pieter Jan Robbermont, a Dutch entrepreneur, underscores the transformative potential of this initiative, particularly in technology and sustainability. He strongly encourages Indian business leaders, especially those in the IT sector, to consider investing in these advanced greenhouses. Such investments, he believes, are crucial for making India’s horticulture sector truly sustainable and future-ready.