Jaap Bond Discusses Future of Dutch Horticulture
Amsterdam, Wednesday, 24 September 2025.
Jaap Bond reflects on the enduring strength of Dutch horticulture, highlighting innovation’s role in climate change mitigation and the sector’s continued success under new TKI structure.
Transition Within Dutch Horticulture
Jaap Bond, who recently stepped down as chairman of the Topteam for the Topsector Horticulture and Plant Propagation Materials, has emphasized that the sector will continue to thrive under the new TKI structure. He highlighted that the transition maintains essential public-private collaborations which are pivotal for ongoing innovation. This new setup aims to preserve the sector’s innovative capacity, which is crucial for addressing climate change challenges [1].
Role of Innovation in Sustainability
Bond underscored the importance of innovation policies in combating climate change, citing the Dutch horticultural sector as a leader in sustainable agriculture. The integration of knowledge and innovation agendas within the TKI framework ensures that the sector remains at the forefront of developing sustainable practices. This approach is aligned with national goals to enhance collaboration across water, energy, chemistry, and circular economy sectors [1].
Conpax’s Contribution to Green Innovation
In the realm of green innovation, Conpax, an Oosterhout-based company, focuses on eco-friendly disposables and food packaging. Their innovation policy is driven by sustainability and compliance with legislation. Notable products include the Notpla range—seaweed-based and plastic-free snack containers—and the Wauw Cup, a reusable bioplastic coffee cup. Conpax’s strategy involves monthly innovation meetings to ensure their products meet market demands and sustainability standards [2].
Future Prospects and Strategic Directions
Looking forward, the horticultural sector’s success is contingent upon embracing strategic innovation themes. Bond’s reflections suggest a stronger collaboration with sectors like water management and renewable energy, facilitating cross-sector innovation. The Dutch government’s commitment to supporting sustainable practices through these initiatives indicates a promising future for the sector [1].