The Netherlands: {Nederland}

The Dutch Food System

Although The Netherlands is only small, their agricultural sector has become a powerhouse. It is one of the world's largest agricultural exporters. 

The sector employs around 2% of the Dutch working population. There are around 51,000 farms in the Netherlands, each farm being approximately 32 hectares. Around 66% of The Netherland's total land being used for agricultural purposes. Products such as dairy, eggs, meat, vegetables are fruits are the most important sectors in terms of production value. The value of exported-agrifood products is above 100 billion euros per year.

Future plans for the Dutch food system include:

1) Fair distribution of financial support, therefore farmers will receive more support and compensation when required.

2) Support for the fruit and vegetable sector.

3) Encourage farmers to create 36,000 hectares of new meadows
with characteristics that are beneficial for bird species.

4) Reduce the ammonia deposition and improve the availability of water, with positive outcomes for the biodiversity conservation in those nature sites.

5) Attract young people with no agricultural background to become interested in the sector by supporting 3000 young farmers to start a fam.

6) Each farmer will receive a voucher for a fixed amount of EUR 1 750 for training and about 2100 advisors will be supported in their work to make innovation available to farmers, for example crop production on wet soils

One of EIT Food's main tasks is to bring innovation, especially around food production and agriculture, to the market more quickly with the help of start-ups and thus to make the food system healthier and more sustainable together with SMEs.

Did you know that the Dutch consume the most liquorice in the world?