Programme NL Lounge - stand number 01.261

Tuesday 9 June

9 June 10:30-11:15 Brazil
Bio Inputs and Sustainability in Brazilian Agriculture
Speaker: Carlos Goulard -  Deputy Minister of Animal and Plant Health
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 June 12:00 – 13:30 Networking Sandwich Lunch
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 June 14:30 - 15:00 Bulgaria
Opportunities for Geothermal Energy in Greenhouse Horticulture
Speaker: Sophie Neve - Agriculture Counsellor for Romania, Bulgaria and Moldova
From 24 to 26 November 2026 an innovation mission to Bulgaria will take place for the use of geothermal energy in greenhouse production. The objective is to explore the opportunities for collaboration between Dutch and local stakeholders in research and product development. The focus will be on innovation in the entire chain, and will cater to the interest of both companies and research institutes.
During this session Sophie will set the scene, and give further insights in the sector and market. Q & A.
More information on the upcoming innovation mission:
Innovation Mission to Bulgaria: Geothermal Energy in Greenhouses | RVO.nl
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 June 15:00 - 16:00 Serbia & the Balkans
The State of Affairs and Opportunities
Speaker: Michiel van Erkel - Agriculture Counsellor for the Western Balkans
Michiel will highlight the opportunities for protected horticulture in the Balkan region, building on a report that the embassy published last year on the present state of protected horticulture. One of the outcomes was, for example, the possibility to combine this with geothermal power. In addition, there is an increase in local requests at the embassy for technologies and know-how in the context of growing medicinal cannabis.
Delegation members from the region will also share their experience, expectations and needs during this session. Q & A.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 June 16:00 – 17:30 South Africa
Grootvlei Combi Track Session + Networking drinks
Grootvlei is an ageing coal power station near Johannesburg that is scheduled to close in 2030. Through the Embassy-initiated Combi Track approach, the area around Grootvlei is currently being transformed into an agrohub for climate-smart horticulture and sustainable development. The agrohub offers opportunities for the Dutch private sector in areas such as horticulture, agrologistics, water management, renewable energy, circular economy and landscape regeneration.
During this session we will dive deeper into the following topics:

• Introduction to the Grootvlei Combi Track, agrohub development and opportunities for the Dutch sector
  By Evert Jan Krajenbrink – Netherlands Embassy / RVO
• Grootvlei Impact Cluster and existing Dutch private-sector initiatives.
  By Norbert van der Straaten – Holland Greentech
• Realisation of the first production greenhouse in Grootvlei
  By Rik Wuts – Drylands

• Opportunities around other economic drivers in the Grootvlei area
  By NEAD (online)

  The session will also include a preview of the Nexus-Agri water approach mission to South Africa in November 2026.
  Networking drinks & bites.

Wednesday 10 June

10 June 8:30 – 10:00 Australia
Networking Breakfast Session
Gain expert insights into the Australian and Dutch horticulture ecosystems and explore how the recently signed EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement is shaping future collaboration. This session brings together industry peers to share insights on both ecosystems, offering a unique platform to connect, exchange perspectives, and identify concrete avenues for collaboration.
Register by Monday 8 June: Registration - Horticulture Networking Breakfast - Express your interest
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 June 10:00 – 11:00 Mauritius
Exploring Agri-Tech Investment Opportunities in Mauritius and Regional Linkages
Speaker: Mr. Seewraj Nundlall - Director at the Economic Development Board Mauritius
This session positions Mauritius, as a Small Island Developing State with early-stage agri-tech adoption, as a unique entry point for investors and technology providers, and outlines how Mauritius can function as a practical launchpad for agri-tech deployment and regional expansion. It highlights how potential partners can deploy and validate solutions in real-world conditions in Mauritius and scale successful models into Africa and other regional markets.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 June 11:00 – 12:00 Sweden
CEA in Sweden’s Arctic Region (market report launch)
The report examines the opportunities for Dutch SMEs within Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) in Northern Sweden, underscoring the region’s potentials for resilient and sustainable food production solutions.

• Introduction and setting the scene: why is North-Sweden interesting for the Dutch CEA sector?
  By Bert van der Heide (Advisor International Innovation Agri-Food at RVO)
• Take away messages from the just published Market report on opportunities for the Netherlands in Food Production Resilience in Sweden
  By Jenny Peters (Business Growth Officer, Food Collective, Sweden)
• How North-Sweden supports growth in Food Production
  By Natalie Sidén (Investment Manager at Invest in Norrbotten) and Matz Egman (Sr. Industrial Adviser at Invest in Norrbotten)
• Q&A - Moderated by Bert van der Heide (RVO)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 June 12:00 – 13:00 Ukraine
Growing the Future: What Ukraine’s Greenhouse Sector Needs and How Dutch Expertise can Contribute
Speaker: Kateryna Volianska
Presentation based on the findings of the recently published study “Market report on Needs Assessment. Protected Crop in Ukraine”, outlining international opportunities for Dutch SMEs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 June 13:00 – 14:00 Korea
The Current Status of Smart Farming in Korea
Speaker: Prof. Sung Kyeom Kim - CEO World Horti Center Korea
This presentation introduces Korea’s efforts to build a sustainable, resilient smart farming industry to address aging farmers, labor shortages, rising energy costs, and climate-related production risks.
It highlights smart farm training programs, Smart Farm Innovation Valleys, the establishment of WHC Korea, education and R&D collaboration with the Netherlands, and national investment in autonomous and energy-efficient greenhouse technologies.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 June 15:00 – 16:00 NFP (Netherlands Food Partnership) & YEP (Young Expert Programme)
Young experts for a greener future: growing talent across water and agrofood
Speakers: Marjan Riepma (Partnership Builder NFP) and Jorn Baan Hofman (Project Officer YEP)
How do we prepare the next generation of professionals to work on global agriculture and water challenges? In this interactive session, YEP Programmes introduces how young professionals can gain international experience through Dutch organisations while receiving training, coaching and access to a strong professional network. Hear from an organisation working with Young Experts and from a YEP alumnus/alumna about the real value of young talent in international projects. This session is for young professionals exploring their next career step and for organisations interested in developing future-ready talent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 June 16:30-17:30 Networking Reception CEA Alliance
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

Thursday 11 June

11 June 10:00-11:00 Teachers’ Meeting
CIV Groen organises a closed teachers’ meeting during GreenTech Amsterdam. In this session, educators from green vocational and higher education are updated on the latest developments in greenhouse technology and explore how these innovations can be translated into education.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 June 11:00- 12:15 HortiTalent
HortiTalent is an interactive student event during GreenTech Amsterdam, where young talent is challenged to explore the exhibition, gather insights from industry leaders and develop solutions to real horticultural challenges. The session concludes with team pitches presented to a professional jury.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 June 13:00 – 14:00 NFP (Netherlands Food Partnership) Pitch
Speaker: Ibrahim Palaz (Coalition Builder at NFP)
Interactive session on the work of Netherlands Food Partnership: how do we build fruitful partnerships and make use of our network?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

Sessions on other locations at GreenTech

Tuesday 9 June
9 June 16:00 – 17:00 Bangladesh
Round table on unlocking investment and collaboration for the agrologistics sector in Bangladesh
The agrologistics sector in Bangladesh is at a crucial turning point. Despite the impressive growth in agricultural production, the country still faces enormous challenges, such as high post-harvest losses, inadequate logistics infrastructure, and a shortage of refrigeration facilities. However, these also present tremendous opportunities for companies that can offer innovative solutions.
Bangladesh aims to collaborate with companies and other institutions with solutions in the following fields: production, collection, storage, processing, transport (cold chain), handling, wholesale, retail and packaging.
In this round table session with Bangladeshi and Dutch stakeholders we will further explore the opportunities.
 

NOTE: this is a closed session at GreenTech and registration is mandatory. Please contact Juli Faassen for details: juli.faassen@rvo.nl