Horticulture offers solutions to major societal challenges. That was the central message of the 2025 annual event of Greenport West-Holland, held under the theme “The Promise of Horticulture.” The event took place at Anthura in Bleiswijk and attracted 225 visitors from business, education, research and government.
Greenport West-Holland is a regional collaboration between companies, governments, educational institutions and knowledge organisations. Together they work towards a future-proof and sustainable horticulture and food sector, based on three ambitions: a Circular Greenport, a Coherent and Meaningful Spatial-Economic Cluster, and Leadership in Knowledge & Innovation.
The annual event was opened by Meindert Stolk, chairman of Greenport West-Holland. In his welcome speech he emphasised the value of horticulture for society.
Value for society
Keynote speaker Otto Raspe addressed the concept of broad prosperity in the Netherlands and the region. Social engagement — for example by companies — is an important indicator of broad prosperity. Innovation plays a key role in enabling that engagement. Regional ecosystems such as Greenport West-Holland play an important role in bringing together societal interests and innovation, Raspe explained.
The programme showed how horticulture can contribute solutions to major societal challenges. One panel discussion focused on vertical farming, where plans are being explored to grow “graskaas” (grass-based cheese feed crops) in closed cultivation systems. Another topic was the Fieldlab Preventing Food Waste, in which educational institutions, companies and research organisations collaborate to better utilise residual streams and reduce food waste by 75%.
Cooperation between education and companies was another recurring theme during the event. For example, Roeland Herforth is conducting research at Anthura on green crop protection products and biostimulants. His lecturer Frank van der Helm highlighted the importance of collaboration between education and industry for the future of greenhouse horticulture.
Ornamental plant company Anthura in Bleiswijk is a frontrunner in sustainability. Director Mark van der Knaap spoke about the company’s efforts in the energy transition. Anthura is therefore also a participant in the Energy Agreement of Greenport West-Holland.
Sowing the future
The event concluded with a conversation between Meindert Stolk and Angelique de Wit about the past year and the future.
Angelique de Wit: “Horticulture creates economic value while also contributing to a healthy, liveable and prosperous world. We are sowing the future.”
Meindert Stolk added: “If there is one sector that has proven to be resilient and forward-looking, it is horticulture.”
(Photos: Greenport West-Holland / Rolf van Koppen)
