India may not be the primary nation to cross your thoughts when pondering of ‘horticulture,’ however with over 1 billion residents, who’re more and more acutely aware about what they eat, it is an exceptionally engaging market. That is why contributors from this system Partners for International Business (PIB) lately explored India with ten corporations from the sector. We spoke with one in every of them, Alex van der Meulen, in his each day life export supervisor at Meteor Systems.

From left to proper: Desh Ramnath (DGD), Aadesh Shah (Viscon), Huib Koerts (Bayer), Carine Eijkelkamp (innovationquarter), Alex van der Meulen en Hidde Huisintveld (Lumiforte), Wierd Vonk (Hoogendoorn) and Rick Nobel (Agricultural attaché Consulate common of the dominion of the Netherlands)

“India is still second in the world when it comes to population, and in the future, the country will likely become number one. A vast number of people, which also means a vast number of mouths to feed.”

Besides, Indians need to eat more healthy, sees Alex, ideally cultivated with as little pesticides as attainable. Cultivation presently takes place principally with low-tech greenhouses and in open fields. “I expect to see this change in the upcoming 5-10 years,” shares Alex. “In The Netherlands, we also started with low-tech and gradually became more and more innovative.”

A glance into an Indian greenhouse
How does a mean greenhouse look in India? “They’re often tunnels or foil greenhouses or net houses, covered with insect netting.” Much cultivation nonetheless takes place in open fields, though there are additionally growers that develop on coconuts. “That substrate they then lay on the soil in the greenhouse.”

Regarding know-how, most Indian greenhouses are provided with a drip irrigation system. “Some growers possess an irrigation computer, while others simply turn on the tap. You also have a few who figure something out themselves: turn a coca-cola bottle upside down with a hose underneath, and you have yourself a sprinkler system.”

In just a few greenhouses, screens additionally hold suspended – a shading or insect display – with some extra easy know-how, reminiscent of a fan to rid the greenhouse of heat air. “And in herbal cultivation, we also saw an occasional NFT system.”

Mainly tomato and candy pepper
So, what’s being cultivated in such a greenhouse? “Mainly tomatoes and sweet peppers, and some cucumbers. No strawberry because you’re not allowed to import bumblebees or honey bees in India,” is aware of Alex. “Furthermore, lots of herbs are grown, such as basil and coriander, and also spinach; important ingredients in Indian cuisine.”

Technological developments
When requested concerning the first steps in the direction of extra know-how in Indian greenhouses, Alex mentions regulating temperature and extra recirculation of water. “Water becomes increasingly scarcer, so there’s a lot to save by making use of a closed system. Moreover, you immediately become less attached to the soil, improving both the air circulation underneath the plant and the evaporation, which in turn reduces the chance of mold.”

Mold and plant homogeneity are nonetheless a substantial issues. “Yet, natural pesticides are also being used next to chemicals. For example, Koppert Biological Systems has been in India for some time already.”

Besides, such cultivation leads to much less environmental air pollution. With a closed system, foodstuffs and others do not find yourself within the soil.

Possibilities for suppliers
So, optimistic developments and prospects for Dutch suppliers. In this respect, Alex suspects that the primary steps will come from the south of India. “Cultivation closer to the equator is easily possible, although it is warm, so you’ll have to do something with the climate. Also, financially that part of the country offers more possibilities.”

Initially, it will occur in small steps. “Here and there, an upgrade. But when they see how well it works, there’s a possibility that when building new locations, they immediately would go for a modern greenhouse, with all available features.”

The corporations which might be lined as much as provide these options are, in fact, members of PIB: Meteor Systems, Van der Hoeven, Horti XS, Koppert, Lumiforte, Svensson, Priva, Bayer Seeds, Ridder, Hoogendoorn en Viscon – with cluster coordinators DGD, Innovation Quarter and Rotterdam Partners. “A fine group,” as Alex calls them, “with a complete supply for the Indian industry.”

In November, this membership visited India for the primary time for an exploratory go to of every week to Bangalore, Pune, and Mumbai. The future guarantees extra visits, however maybe much more vital is contemplating the subsequent steps for PIB. “Will we approach this as a group or not? That is still to be decided. One way or another, we remain in contact with all parties involved.”

For extra data:
HortiRoad2India 
www.hortiroad2india.com