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| A mine of opportunities is waiting to be tapped in horticulture, including floriculture, through Indo-Dutch cooperation. The two countries can work in close partnership and reap the benefits for mutual advantage. |
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The two economies are clearly so very different. Still, a study of the strengths and weaknesses of Indian and Dutch farm economies would show that there is much that the two can complement each other to build a strong, viable partnership in horticulture, including floriculture, for mutual benefit.
A top Dutch floriculture expert Dr Doeke faber, who visited India a year ago, put it:
"We do want to share with India a potentially important player in terms of production and consumption of flowers issues that are of mutual interest". Among them, he identified specifically possibilities for our breeders, our growers, our backward linkages".
Study visit The prospects of Indo-Dutch cooperation in horticulture - fruits, vegetables and flowers - were studied by Media Today's M B Naqvi and S Jafar Naqvi, who recently visited the Netherlands in response to an invitation from the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture during the HortiFair. The visit was part of the Dutch government's interaction with opinion makers - prominent journalists and other important persons- who were taken round floriculture and horticulture farms, auction centres and educational institutions in the Netherlands.
Here are some observations of the Media Today team's study. In the Netherlands, the world's leading flower production and trade centre, growers are facing a number of problems. Land availability of is a major constraint, as a result horticulture production has virtually reached a plateau. The cost of production is high, and adoption of new technologies is further adding to the cost of products, making them uncompetitive in the markets outside Europe. The country is also witnessing a workforce migration from farm to offices since members of the younger generation, by and large, are not favourably inclined to take to farming as a profession. Their preference is to take up white collar jobs. To add to the woes, Holland is slowly losing its prestigious place as the world's largest flower market, since quite a few flower producing countries are gradually bypassing the Holland Auction Centres and doing direct marketing with consumption centres.
Indian scenario
Against this background, it is worthwhile to look at the emerging Indian picture. Growing of fruits, flowers and vegetables has received an impetus in India under the programme of the National Horticulture Mission. This has become a vital sector contributing 24% of India’s Agriculture GDP. India produces almost 11% of global vegetable output and 15% of global fruit production. It also ranks among the lowest cost producers of fruits and vegetables, However, the country’s share in international trade remains low — almost 1.7% in vegetables and 0.5% in fruits. No doubt, small landholdings and heavy dependence on monsoon are among the major constraints. But there are some other weaknesses, which the National Horticulture Mission, under the government of India, is trying to address with a sense of priority.
They are :
1. Low productivity of most of horticulture crops
2. Low availability of latest varieties of fruits and vegetables.
3. Dearth of good planting material
4. Lack of modern agro-technologies (mechanization)
5. A weak post harvest management infrastructure for fruits & vegetables.
Quality produce
Notwithstanding all this, India produces some of the best quality fruits and vegetables. Many Indian fruits and vegetables command a premium because:
� Traditional varieties have excellent taste and aroma, although their productivity is low.
� Low technology inputs ensure minimum damage to environment.
� Use of pesticides and chemicals is minimum. Many Indian states traditionally encourage
organic farming. Use of organic fertilizers and IPM are part of tradition rather than choice.
� No genetically modified (GM) food crops are grown.
� Most horticulture crops are grown in eco-friendly conditions.
A major strength of India is that it is extremely potent in terms of productivity improvement and varietal improvement. India has an army of horticulture professionals, coming out every year from its 40 agriculture universities and hundreds of colleges. This excellent pool of human resource along with vast undeveloped cultivable land makes India a potential super power in horticulture. On the other hand, the Netherlands has almost perfected the art of horticulture with its key strength of plant breeding, production technologies and techniques of PHM management. As result the country tops in the productivity charts.
Twin combination
Here is an opportunity, therefore, to bring about an amalgamation of expertise and resources of India and the Netherlands and utilise the same for mutual benefit. While Dutch companies can develop latest varieties having very high productivity, Indian farmers have the ability to undertake mass propagation of plant material for European as well as Indian markets. India’s vast pool of agriculture graduates can also aid Dutch breeders in accessing human resource at comparatively lower cost. The scope for developing new India-specific varieties is indeed vast.
Greenhouse Technology & irrigation systems
Horticulture has been essentially a traditional occupation for most of the Indian farmers. Infusion of latest technology is yet to take place at the grass root level. With the advent of high yielding varieties, fast growing domestic demand for exotic fruits and vegetables coupled with fast increasing exports, there is a big demand for modern greenhouses with precision climate control capabilities. Greenhouse technology entered Indian farms through floriculture but it is not used for off- season production of vegetables, import substitution of exotic vegetables and fruits, production of high value medicinal & aromatic plants and the like. Recent trends in plant material production using tissue culture technology have also led to area expansion under greenhouse cover. Indian farmers, with support from central & state governments are learning to be less dependent on oft-evasive monsoon. Modern irrigation systems like drip, sprinker and misting are used to deliver both water as well as fertilizers in a controlled way. There is good scope for European companies to supply these equipment to the fast expanding Indian market, subject to their being cost- effective.
Varietal development & Plant propagation
In new plant varieties development, India has its own strengths like, for instance, a rich plant genetic pool and varied agro-climatic conditions. Alongside, an increasing demand for traditional-tasting fruits and vegetables has opened further scope for varietal development.
While Dutch (European) breeders concentrate on development of new varieties, mass multiplication may be entrusted to Indian companies. There are already quite a few examples like KF Bioplants and Beauscape Farms that are into business of mass propagation of varieties for European plant breeders. The scope is indeed very vast for joint ventures.
The propagation of the following plants and planting material offer such opportunities:
� Fruit plants
� Vegetable plants
� Fruit and vegetable seeds
� Summer flowering plants
� Flower seeds
� Cut-flower planting material
� Nursery plants (Indoor and Outdoor)
� Landscape greeneries (Grasses, Hedges, and Trees)
True, in the area of plant breeding, some issues concerning breeders’ rights need to be sorted out.
Precision Farming
Educated new generation farmers in India are resorting to climate manipulation for better productivity. Precision farming as a concept is catching up with farmers. However availability of equipment and control systems for precision farming is limited. European companies doing business of precision farming equipment and inputs may seize this opportunity to take a leadership position in Indian market.
Bio-Fertilizers
Even though a large area under horticulture in India is traditionally organic in nature, certified organic bio-fertilizers and bio-manures are required for organic farming. European companieshaving expertise in their production may well look at India as a new emerging market for such products. With its own growing market for organic foods, India is poised to become a world leader in organic farming.
Farm Mechanization
Many Indian farmers are still dependent on bullocks for land preparation and transportation. Of late, mechanization has picked up momentum in the rural areas. There is ample scope for farm machinery manufacturers from Europe to forge alliance with Indian machinery manufacturers for mass production of farm automation systems. Entry of corporates into farming is now transforming the landscape of Indian horticulture sector.
Farm machinery and equipment having relevance to Indian conditions include:
� Land Preparation systems – Tractors etc.
� Automatic Seeding systems
� Seed Cleaning and Sorting systems
� Seed trays etc for plantlets production before transplantation
� Harvesting machines
� Seed Cleaning and Washing systems
� Germination Chambers
� Sorting, Grading machines
� Quality control equipment
� Packaging for bulk and retail
� Packaging for export
� Testing and Measurement
� Productivity enhancement through Climate control systems
� Greenhouse, Poly-house, Tunnels and Shade house inputs
� Internal Movement and Transportation Systems
� Automation and control systems
� Quality Control and Testing equipment
� Whole range of machinery for specific crops of fruits, vegetable and flowers
� Cold Chain
� Pre-Cool Chambers
� Reefer. Trucks
� Cold Storages
� Controlled Atmosphere Storages
� Retailing Systems
� Gardening tools
� Food Processing machinery
� Food Packaging machinery
Marketing
According to a World Bank report, India is among the lowest cost producers of fruits and vegetables but this advantage is notreflected in its share of world markets. The report attributes this to a long marketing chain from the farmer to the retailer, accounting for a major portion of consumer price. There is ample scope for marketing tie-ups between Indian farmers and fresh produce trading organizations. Since European companies have a vast market reach, good quality Indian produce may be suitably branded.
Agri Finance & Insurance
It is now well recognised that the Indian market is poised for strong growth. Thanks to a fast expanding domestic market, increasing exports and a vast human resource pool, Indian horticulture offers a potent investment opportunity for individual investors. The country is also emerging as a large market for financial institutions. Rabo Bank is already active in India. Government of India is encouraging insurance for agriculture activities, opening a vast market for insurance companies and organisations offering financial services.
Quality Certification & Consultancy
Increasing export-oriented production in India and shrinking production bases in developed nations have opened avenues forquality certification agencies and those offering related consultancy expertise. Compatibility of Indian horticulture sector with various international standards like ISO, HACCP, EurepGAP, MPS-GAP etc., will require a large number of export organizations offering consultancy. With such a wealth of opportunities waiting to be tapped, India and the Netherlands can work in close partnership and reap the benefits for mutual advantage. The time to take the plunge is now. It will be a win-win situation for both.
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Group of journalists &
officials invited by the Dutch
govt. from different countries |
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M B Naqvi, Chief Coordinator
of Floriculture Today at
outside open demo farm of
Royal Van Zanten, Holland |
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S Jafar Naqvi, Chief Editor of
Floriculture Today with
officials of Ministry of
Agriculture, The Netherlands
& Wim van der Loo, MD of
International HortiFair |
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Ratan Kumar Singh with
officials from Manipur, Sanjay
Chandak, Director, Sheel
Biotech, S K Gutgutia, CEO,
Florance Flora & others |
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Brain storming & interraction
session between media
persons, sr. govt. officials & trade representatives at a
breakfast meeting during
HortiFair |
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S Jafar Naqvi with senior
trade representatives |
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M B Naqvi with Avinash
Mokate & Dr. Pandey |
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Technical visit |
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Technical visit |
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Flora Holland Aalsmeer
auction centre visit shows
the systems & operations in
the morning |
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M B Naqvi & S Jafar Naqvi with Marcel Vern Ooij, host officer
from Ministry of Agriculture,
Nature & Food Quality during
farewell dinner |
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Host officer of Agriculture
Ministry introducing the
invitees to a senior official at
HortiFair |
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| During HortiFair-2009, prominent journalists and other important persons were taken round floriculture and horticulture farms, auction centres and educational institutions in the Netherlands for a better understanding of the country’s floriculture developments. Following are details of the visited places. |
VGB
The VGB is the sector organization for wholesale trade in flowers and plants. It represents more than 65 percent of total turnover in the Dutch wholesale ornamental plant trade. The VGB also radiates the power, flexibility and dynamism that characterize this sector.
VGB’s trade commissions negotiate and consult with auction managements about rates and various measures that affect the trade, including auction policy and its implementation. Each auction location has such a negotiating delegation. Many VGB initiatives have brought about crucial, innovative developments in the sector. The VGB plays a leading role in the total ornamental plant sector, primarily to promote trade. It has developed its own view of the entire market chain, which is regularly updated. The VGB is securely rooted in the practices of the rank and file. The management comprises a cross section of wholesalers in the sector: large and small, export/import flowers/ plants and so forth. VGB fulfils a significant network function for entrepreneurs in this sector.
The VGB communicates intensively with its members and other focus groups. With the Agricultural Wholesaler Trade Board, Flowers and Plants, it publishes Het Groot Handelsblad, the specialised magazine for the sector. It also provides ongoing, updated information via its website. It informs its members through newsletters geared towards target groups. VGB via its subsidiary company, Vegekom, the association can offer many financial benefits because of the many framework agreements it has entered into with countless suppliers. Royal Van Zanten Royal Van Zanten strives to be the preferred supplier of high quality basic materials for professional floriculture companies in the world market. They try to achieve this by focusing on notable improvement results, selling their own varieties and varieties from third parties that are exclusive to them, introducing new plants, quality of products and service and renewal of technology employed. Royal Van Zanten has become a completely different business in the last few decades: an international ‘breeding ground’ for plants and flowers. It is a business with an appealing range of basic materials and our business structure ensures focus is mixed on the market. The demand for flowers and plants is still growing. The consumer is often in search of something a little special. A huge amount of square footage is reserved for trials and experiments with the aim of developing new varieties and improvements to production. As a result, their advisers and representatives are well placed to provide comprehensive support to their customers to enable them to get the very best from the products. Base materials are produced at the location. Climate, soil andeconomic factors all come into play. A careful assessment of these issues is the best way to guarantee supply reliability of a wide range of products at the best possible price. Flowers and plants have a birth, a youth and a blooming period. The origins of their character, beauty and vitality can be found in their youth. Royal Van Zanten has a modern and advanced division department. Here, the latest techniques are used to research and develop improvements to current plant types and varieties.
Koppert Biological Systems
Koppert is the international market leader in the field of biological crop protection and natural pollination. Koppert has a reputation internationally for reliability, innovation and quality. The ongoing research and continuous production of beneficial and pollinators contribute to the development of sustainable agriculture and horticulture worldwide. An important characteristic of Koppert is the involvement in the everyday of agricultural businesses. Koppert has a result-oriented research and development department, and world-wide network of contacts. Customer satisfaction is essential for Koppert. With reliable biological systems Koppert provides growers a convenient solution for their crop protection issues. Koppert’s principal place of business is active from 1967 and located in the Netherlands. Here 250 people are employed in production, sales, logistics, consultancy and research.
Flora Holland
The Netherlands is the heart of the international floriculture sector. It has an intricate and high-quality network of companies, ranging from breeders and growers to sales experts and export firms, representing every aspect of the business. The Netherlands is the place where supply and demand comes together from Europe and beyond. It is a modern business with six auction centres, a nationally- operating intermediary organization and an import department. Flora Holland wants to maintain and increase its strong market position. By offering the best and broadest assortment, Flora Holland wishes to tie (international) commerce flows to the marketplaces.
Flora Holland is a primary cooperative: the business is owned by its members. The cooperative partnership is a solid foundation for the development of the floriculture sector. Flora Holland hasservices as Remote Buying, Flora Holland is able to attract an increasing number of (international) buyers to the auction. In the case of image auctioning, flowers and plants no longer appear in front of the clock but photographs of the products are displayed in the auction rooms. To ensure the clock remains attractive, the auction process needs to be continually renewed and improved. At the Aalsmeer location, the projected clocks have been redesigned to offer even more information to buyers. Flora Holland Connect offers specialized market services to buyers and their retail purchasers. Their intermediaries can assist with targeted national and international product sourcing, enabling buyers to meet the needs of their own customers quickly and at all times. Flora Holland Connect also incorporates a series of (paid) tailored services that make it easier for buyers to meet their obligations to customers. roughly 6,000 members, especially in the Netherlands, but also beyond.
The method of selling is known as the ‘Dutch auction’. A very wide and deep assortment of flowers and plants is available. Everyday, 39 auction clocks are in operation at Flora Holland centres. This means 125,000 auction transactions everyday. Flora Holland offers dealers sophisticated facilities for online buying: Remote Buying (KOA). With the help of suchservices as Remote Buying, Flora Holland is able to attract an increasing number of (international) buyers to the auction. In the case of image auctioning, flowers and plants no longer appear in front of the clock but photographs of the products are displayed in the auction rooms. To ensure the clock remains attractive, the auction process needs to be continually renewed and improved. At the Aalsmeer location, the projected clocks have been redesigned to offer even more information to buyers. Flora Holland Connect offers specialized market services to buyers and their retail purchasers. Their intermediaries can assist with targeted national and international product sourcing, enabling buyers to meet the needs of their own customers quickly and at all times. Flora Holland Connect also incorporates a series of (paid) tailored services that make it easier for buyers to meet their obligations to customers.
Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture
Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture is the leading research institute in the international greenhouse horticulture. Experience in both greenhouse horticulture and research allows them to develop and implement innovations for and in partnership with the horticultural industry. Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture continuously develops new concepts for greenhouse production systems. Current projects include air conditioned cultivation, energy- producing greenhouses and fully automated production systems.
It also includes optimization of existing greenhouse horticulturesystems by the development of new crop protection strategies and growing methods, optimal environmental control, crop growth control, innovative energy saving technology and economic farming. Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture is dedicated to the efficient dissemination and implementation of new and existing knowledge in cooperation with research partners and the greenhouse horticultural industry. A large number of first class products and services are available to support the industry in testing the potential of their innovations. Greenhouse horticulture is a dynamic industry where
developments follow each other at a brisk place. Market-oriented production at minimal cost providing full reliability for quality and delivery is a must for today’s greenhouse operators. Horticulture always takes into account the latest international trends affecting the sector. These include rising costs, in particular of energy and labour, increasing demands and constraints from society, consumers and buyers, the increase in scale and size of the production units, internationalization of horticultural production, concentration of area’s available for greenhouse horticulture and multifunctional land uses and scarcity of skilled labour. Wageningen University and Research Centre allows them to react promptly to changing demands from greenhouse horticulture. This is why Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture is the ideal partner for innovations and groundbreaking research |
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