Asia Netherlands Water-Food Learning Week: Powerful insights and unforgettable experiences

The ANWFLW explored innovative solutions for securing sustainable water and food systems in the face of climate change, economic disruptions, and demographic shifts. The focus was on fostering collective action, leveraging reliable data, and harnessing cutting-edge technology to drive effective agri-water management strategies for a more resilient and sustainable future.

A flying start in Utrecht

The week kicked off in Utrecht with a dynamic opening day. Meike van Ginneken,  Water Envoy for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, introduced the Netherlands' approach to water governance and finance, sparking engaging discussions on tariff structures and public-private collaboration. This was followed by an update on the Partners for Water Programme by Liliane Geerling of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). The participants also presented their projects and connected with expert mentors, setting the tone for a week of rich exchange.

Thematic deep dives and Dutch expertise

The group took part in in-depth thematic sessions on several days on the following topics.

• Water storage & rainwater harvesting
• Saline agriculture
• Circular water use
• Climate-resilient agriculture
• Automation and AI in farming
• Soil and irrigation management

With guidance from leading Dutch organisations such as Deltares, FutureWater, Wageningen University & Research, Hydrosat, and MetaMeta, the participants gained valuable tools and fresh perspectives to apply in their home countries.

Learning by seeing: field visits that inspired

Site visits brought the knowledge to life. Project teams explored the cutting edge of Dutch innovation at the World Horti Center, the beating heart of greenhouse horticulture, and attended sessions on irrigation, water reuse, and horticultural innovation.

The visit to Rijk Zwaan in Dinteloord was a chance to look closely at how advanced breeding technologies are driving impactful agricultural development. A real-life simulation exercise hosted by Van der Hoeven Horticultural Projects challenged teams to design sustainable food systems for water-scarce regions.

At the historic Molen de Ster windmill in Utrecht, the project teams engaged in thought provoking thematic sessions on water storage & rainwater harvesting, saline soils & agriculture, and remote sensing for monitoring & forecasting. The week also featured a visit to the Farm of the Future in Lelystad, where the participants explored scalable, climate-proof agricultural solutions. A dynamic workshop on ‘rethinking groundwater use’ was a proven method that fostered an in-depth understanding of how groundwater usage at the farm level impacts farmers and other stakeholders.

Another highlight was the full-day programme at Wageningen University & Research that included tours of the Netherlands Plant Eco-Phenotyping Centre, Unifarm’s experimental fields, and the one-of-a-kind World Soil Museum.

Shared values, shared future

What stood out throughout the week was the remarkable spirit of collaboration. Whether over lunch with Dutch innovators or in thematic workshops, participants engaged deeply with peers and experts, exchanging ideas, challenges, and solutions.

A foundation for the future

This programme would not have been possible without the valuable contributions of our strategic partners: Netherlands Food Partnership, Wageningen University & Research, and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). Their support helped create a seamless learning journey, maximising the value for all involved. The seeds of collaboration and innovation sown during this Learning Week are already taking root. With new insights, networks, and shared goals, participants return home equipped to strengthen water and food systems in their respective regions. As we look back, we are proud to have hosted such a meaningful exchange, and are excited about what comes next. The future of agri-water resilience is being shaped today by dedicated professionals working together across continents.