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Water & Agrifood

Expertise

Contact

Renske Verhulst

Project Officer Nutrient Platform, Water & Agrifood, & YEP Programmes

+31 70 304 3758

r.verhulst@nwp.nl

As the world’s population increases, so too the pressure on food production. Climate change, drought, flooding, rising sea level, land subsidence and salination are exacerbating the situation, as is soil depletion caused by intensive farming. In this scenario, NWP mediates to bring the expertise of the Dutch agriculture, horticulture and aquaculture sector to areas where it can be used.

Why is it relevant to NWP and what is our aim?

Despite its small size, the Netherlands is the world’s second largest exporter of fruit and vegetables. One of the contributing factors for this success is its expertise in water management and agriculture, including in greenhouse cultivation. NWP sees opportunities for the Dutch water and agriculture sectors to make an impact internationally and boost food security worldwide. To this end, NWP plays a pivotal role in matchmaking between experts in the Dutch water and agriculture sectors and entities wanting to increase crop yields in regions with unreliable water supplies or salinised land.

Some of the areas that the Dutch water sector work in are:

governance
reuse of water
water storage
efficient use of water
integrated water management
water management in greenhouse agriculture
collection and use of nutrients

Strategic alliances

Instrumental in its work is NWP’s strategic partnership and collaboration with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) on the Partners for Water Programme. With financial support from this programme, NWP connects the water sector and agribusiness to address worldwide food security.

NWP also hosts the Secretariat of the Nutrient Platform which strives to close the nutrient cycle and create a sustainable market for recycled nutrients. Corporations, knowledge institutes and government cooperate to promote nutrient recycling; create awareness on nutrient issues; and develop markets for recycled nutrients.