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| A sea of glasshouses in the Westlands region of the Netherlands (source National Geographic) |
The Dutch have become world leaders in agricultural innovation, pioneering new paths to fight hunger. More than half the small nation’s landmass is used for agriculture and horticulture. The farmland consists of small, intensely cultivated fields and expanses of large greenhouse complexes.
These climate-controlled glasshouses produce fair-weather fruit and vegetables all year round with high yields per acre. The Dutch are the world’s top exporter of potatoes and onions and the second largest exporter of vegetables overall in terms of value.
The brains trust behind these astounding numbers is centred at Wageningen University & Research, which is widely regarded as the world’s top agricultural research institution. Trials are carried out in order to attain the best growing conditions. In addition, these controlled environments have few harmful pests and diseases such that the use of chemicals is reduced by 87 percent.
Reference: This tiny country feeds the world. National Geographic, September, 2017.
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