HollandDoor guided a Moldovan delegation visiting the Netherlands to learn how to grow strawberries on substrate. In a full week program in September 2019, the participants visited strawberry farmers, propagators and knowledge and technology suppliers all over the country. Apart from strawberry farmers with various types of technology in the south of the country, the program included visits to Meteor Systems, CLTV Zundert, Legro Substrates, Thwan van Gennip, Mertens, Aardbei Extra, Koppert Biological Systems, Sercom, Flevo Berry, Flevoplant and Biron. Supportive workshops on themes such as irrigation, fertigation and postharvest were delivered by Delphy and HollandDoor.
The Moldovan delegation was part of the High Value Agriculture Activity (HVAA), which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Chemonics International Inc. The goal of the project is to stimulate the transformation of the Moldovan high-value agricultural sector into an engine of economic growth. Berries are one of the key value chains in the project. The area planted with berries has been increasing substantially in recent years. However, Moldovan (straw)berry producers face multiple constraints to access high-end markets, such as low yields per ha, low quality of fruits and limited access to postharvest facilities. One of the key directions for the future is investing in advanced technologies, in particular production of strawberries on substrate. In the September 2019 study tour the delegation was exposed to strawberry substrate technologies and best practices in the Netherlands. The trip motivated the participants to further explore the options to invest and to collaborate with Dutch knowledge and technology providers.
For more information please contact Jos Leeters
