Minister Wiersma Unveils €15M Innovation Hubs for Dutch Agriculture
The Hague, Friday, 18 July 2025.
On July 17, 2025, three new experimental sites in the Netherlands launched with €15M funding to advance sustainable agricultural innovations and collaborations among farmers and researchers.
Innovative Efforts to Transform Agricultural Practices
On July 17, 2025, Minister Wiersma of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature inaugurated three experimental sites to foster collaboration between farmers, horticulturists, and researchers in the Netherlands. These sites have been established through a €15 million investment from the government’s experimental locations subsidy scheme (SREL), aimed at accelerating the adoption of innovations in agriculture and horticulture. The ultimate goal is to tackle practical challenges faced by farmers and promote sustainable methods in land and crop management [1].
Strategic Locations for Sustainable Progress
The three chosen experimental locations each serve a unique purpose in advancing Dutch agriculture. Fieldlab Groene Hart, located in South Holland, North Holland, and Utrecht, concentrates on dairy farming in the western peat meadow area. It explores sustainable solutions with the involvement of chain partners. The Experimental Area East Netherlands, spanning across Twente and Achterhoek, is tasked with fundamentally changing the agricultural production system by focusing on circular agriculture, biodiversity, climate resilience, and new business models. Similarly, the Farm of the Future Southeastern Sandy Area in De Peel tests four innovative farm systems tailored to the sandy soils of Southeastern Netherlands, with a focus on sustainable land use and new technologies [1][2].
Long-term Vision for Agricultural Collaboration
These initiatives extend beyond immediate agricultural improvements by aiming to establish a national network of experimental sites. This network, set to commence shortly afterwards through the National Platform for Experimental Locations in the fall of 2025, will facilitate the sharing of practical insights, data, and experiences across different regions. Minister Wiersma emphasized that the €15 million funding allows farmer-researcher partnerships to have the space needed to test impactful ideas directly on the farm over a five-year period, thereby embedding innovation in everyday practice [1].
Emphasizing Global Sustainable Collaborations
Collaboration beyond national borders is also a significant aspect of these innovations. Recent endeavors, such as the international visit by a Dutch delegation to Oregon, illustrate the Netherlands’ commitment to agricultural technology partnerships. This visit, part of the Orchard of the Future initiative, underscored the mutual goals shared by both the Netherlands and the United States in enhancing productivity and sustainability in agriculture. It highlights the growing trend of international partnerships that combine expertise to tackle common challenges [4].