Dutch Greenhouse Delta whitepaper shows how India is rapidly becoming a horticultural powerhouse

India: field production of peppers.

Dutch Greenhouse Delta (DGD), a provider of Dutch expertise in protected cropping, has published a whitepaper outlining they key areas for action that could help make horticulture in India more efficient, safer and sustainable.

The whitepaper discusses India’s challenges, opportunities, and solutions in the field of horticulture. Also, several successful projects with Dutch innovations are being presented.

Although the Indian greenhouse horticulture sector has far from matured, it offers plenty of opportunities.

India is a rapidly growing giant, with an economic growth of 7 percent a year on average and a fast-increasing middle class, demanding quality products. The country is the world’s number two producer of vegetables and fruit and could become the major food exporter in the Asian region. Also, the country has a favourable investment climate.

On the other hand, India faces challenges such as water supply, extreme climate, harvest security and a poor functioning market chain. The current food production method is inefficient and can’t supply the growing population with enough fresh, affordable, safe, and sustainably grown food.

The country requires an upgrading of the existing horticulture to achieve higher production, consume less water and fertilisers, and achieve a better food quality. Together with Dutch Greenhouse Delta and Dutch horticultural cluster, India can convert food supply challenges into opportunities.

Desh Ramnath, Director DGD India, explains: “The Indian government is taking steps to facilitate investments in agri-food technology to realize modernization. They recognize that the Dutch horticultural knowledge cluster is unique due to its structured and integrated approach to horticultural projects. Because DGD with all its partners can provide complete solutions, it has the key to the main parties and upcoming projects.”

Several Dutch projects and innovations have been realized over the last years, which are presented in this whitepaper.

The whitepaper can be downloaded from the Dutch Greenhouse Delta website: https://www.dutchgreenhousedelta.com/focus-countries/india/