15-10-2026
At the beginning of this year, a vision for the future of high-tech food horticulture was launched. The business community joined forces to put it together at record speed. Jelte van Kammen and Bart van Meurs, who are spearheading Hightech Teelt 2040, are eager to put the five ‘moonshots’ into practice. And that includes a funding plan. “We want to move forward.”
In 2025, Peter Wennink, CEO of ASML, invited businesses from all agricultural sectors on behalf of the government. ‘What is your vision for the future?’ was his simple question. Jelte van Kammen attended on behalf of the Federatie Vruchtgroente-organisaties (FVO), which represents all the major producers. “I realised: we don’t have one. We’re too fragmented. We need to think bigger.”
After a few phone calls, a coalition was formed and got to work. Jelte van Kammen: “Major supply chain partners immediately came on board. We don’t have a single leader in our sector, so we really need each other: producers and suppliers. Together, we represent €25 billion, more than ASML. We matter, but we do need a plan. Within six weeks, we had one: Hightech Teelt 2040.”
Five moonshots
Bart van Meurs of Division Q helped write the plan and is now the project manager. “We started with our ‘licence to produce’. We identified five challenges that also present opportunities: energy, water, crop protection, labour and healthy food. These are all areas in which we can make a difference in the future. With smart technology, data, new genetics and much more. We have incorporated these into five moonshots that paint a picture of the future.”
Financing the unprofitable portion
It certainly won’t stop at visions of the future, Jelte van Kammen assures us. “Research and innovations often fail to make it into practice because of a lack of funding. Growers cannot and do not want to bear the risks alone. That is why we are now working on securing the funding. Not just through grants, but also with investors and banks. This will allow us to jointly cover the unprofitable portion and share the risks associated with investments.”
Selecting three cultivation companies
Hightech Teelt 2040 is already looking for trial locations as well. “That’s what sets us apart from other research and innovation projects: entrepreneurs are in the lead,” explains Bart van Meurs. “We want to select three cultivation companies this year for the themes of energy, water and crop protection. We’ll upgrade them with the latest technologies. For each of the moonshots, we will form a coalition of growers, breeders, suppliers and stakeholders who will innovate together. Just as we are already doing with ‘100% Groen Geteeld’. Of course, Royal Brinkman will be involved.”
Working on the future
There is real energy in the collaboration, Jelte van Kammen has noticed. “All producers affiliated with the FVO are enthusiastic. During the brainstorming sessions last spring, growers and suppliers said they were keen to get involved. Ornamental growers are welcome too. Whether you want to ride along or pedal with us: you’re welcome! As long as it doesn’t slow us down. Because we want to move forward. There’s nothing better than working on the future of our wonderful sector.”
This articele was published in Weerbaar Telen. Text and photo: Royal Brinkman