HORTICULTURE Aiming for 100% sustainability in horticulture We anticipate developments in the hightech production of greenhouse vegetables, ornamentals and soft fruits on all continents and find solutions to new pests and diseases through continuous research and development in a growing range of crops. More than 450 consultants are in close contact with growers worldwide to give them the benefit of our experience and the latest news on applicable innovations, while finding local solutions for local problems. Growers’ feedback is always welcomed, and we have come to regard this as a vital part of finding sustainable solutions. We have been successfully producing beneficial insects such as parasitic wasps and predatory mites, as well as microbiological solutions to help growers control pests and diseases and restore the natural balance in crops, for more than five decades. Our extensive knowledge and experienced consultants are the key in this process. One of our greatest areas of positive impact has been in tomato cultivation. The use of crop protection chemicals in this field has been reduced enormously. Other greenhouse crops now benefit from the same approach in integrated systems of advanced monitoring, biological pest and disease control, bumblebee pollination and biostimulants that protect and build plant resilience for a healthy and productive crop. Having established ourself as a dominant player in sustainable solutions for the horticultural market, we now aim to reduce the need for chemical agents and synthetic fertilizers to a bare minimum, with its target set for 100% sustainability. New state-of-the-art production premises and R&D facilities ensure that the production of biologicals can now fully expand to support the company’s growth. Focused research and continuous alignment with growers’ demands worldwide mean that we work closely with growers. Our extensive knowledge of plant health and the production of both macro- and microbiological solutions are now also being applied successfully in open field agriculture. 17
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