HollandDoor recently hosted an intensive, inspiring, and productive study tour for the Lebanese Minister of Agriculture, H.E. Dr. Nizar Hani, who was accompanied by a distinguished delegation of Directors General and advisors from the Ministry.
The bespoke programme was created by Engelie Beenen, with Lisanne Oskam and Jos Leeters guiding and supporting the delegation thrughout the week. Together, they went from political meeting rooms to state-of-the-art laboratories and greenhouse complexes showcasing the strength, innovation, and resilience of the Dutch agrifood sector.
The 'Dutch Diamond' in practice
The study tour was built around the 'Dutch Diamond' philosophy: the unique collaboration between government, knowledge institutions, and the private sector. The programme translated this theory into practical insights:
- Controlled environment agriculture and smart greenhouses: the delegation gained strategic insights into high-tech horticultural solutions during visits to the World Horti Center and Delphy International research facilities
- The Dutch cooperative model: the group took part in valuable exchanges on legislation, governance, and member financing a.o. during a meeting with LTO Nederland. The core message was clear: successful cooperatives are built from the ground up - by farmers, for farmers.
- World-class knowledge transfer: at Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and Aeres Training Centre International the delegation experienced how academic research is translated into practice-oriented vocational education and daily farming practices.
A truly inspiring highlight of the week was meeting Lebanese professionals such as Wassim Beaineh, Dr Carl Safi, and Roula Bachour, who are currently driving innovation within the Dutch knowledge clusters.
We hope the meaningful connections made during this tour will lead to a successful collaboration and will help build toward a strong, long-term partnership between the two nations' agricultural sectors.
For more information, please contact Lisanne Oskam, Engelie Beenen or Jos Leeters.
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