Agropole Innovates

German-Dutch cooperation in one of Europe's most important agribusiness regions

Agribusiness is of great economic importance in the German-Dutch border region. Agribusiness includes players from all areas of the value chains of animal and plant products:

• Agriculture, horticulture, market gardening
• Suppliers of seeds, fertilizers, machinery and other means of production
• Food processing companiesTrade & logistics
• Suppliers of software and automation technology, climate and control technology
• Service companies with a connection to players in this value chain
• Public institutions and authorities (e.g. politics and chamber of agriculture)
• Research and educational institutions

In the “Agropole Innovates” project, four German-Dutch teams are developing solutions to current challenges:

1. Investigation of the opportunities and risks of organic residual flows from insect production as fertilizer and soil conditioner,
2. Reducing the use of pesticides in tree nurseries through early detection of diseases and pests,
3. developing learning algorithms and using artificial intelligence (AI) to be able to react to the dangers of plant diseases earlier, and
4. Increasing animal welfare, resource efficiency and food safety through greater transparency in pig farming while at the same time making work easier for pig farmers.

The connecting element between the innovation projects is the innovation platform. Three project partners are dedicated to expanding cross-border exchange through numerous events and extensive communication measures.

The regulated and controlled use of chemical agents is still indispensable in agricultural production today. Nevertheless, we must find ways and alternatives for the future to reduce the use of these sprays, replace them with ecological products or even reduce them to zero in some areas in the long term.

Our “Pro Healthy Tree” project serves this purpose:

1. Create forecasting models for infestation by certain insects or diseases
2. To find the best treatment option for the respective infestation in comparison.

By working with Compas Agro on this project, we have the opportunity to combine the resources of our nursery with the technical and professional expertise of our partner in order to achieve the best possible trial results.

We are delighted to have the opportunity to participate and are looking forward to the results.