Beyond tech push: how robotics solves labour shortages in horticulture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Robotics should therefore be seen as an essential technology for ensuring a sustainable and societal accepted sector in the Netherlands, and as a potential high-value addition to our horticultural technology export portfolio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Initiatives for horticultural robotics in Zuid-Holland<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fortunately, Zuid-Holland offers a perfect storm for innovation. It hosts the world\u2019s densest ecosystem of growers, technology companies, testing facilities, and commercialisation partners, supported by various initiatives such as RoboCrops<\/a>, World Horti Center<\/a>, and leading events like Greentech<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The basis of my prophecy is that we are seeing the early signs in the sector and patterns that mirror turning points in other agricultural subsectors. Some of the omens visible in AgTech and horticulture today include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In my role as an Account Manager Foreign Investment at InnovationQuarter, I have supported many international horticultural technology companies in their expansion to the Netherlands. Drawing on six years of experience, I\u2019ve distilled several key insights on what it really takes to scale horticultural robotics. These insights fall into three themes: international entrepreneurship, deep collaboration with growers, and smart investment for scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n International collaborations are a defining strength behind many successful examples we see today. Automotive giants pivoting like the Denso-Certhon partnership<\/a>; technology specialist integration like Ridder Metomotion partnership<\/a>; or tech-grower collaborations such as Four Growers<\/a> and Westburg<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Daring, cross-border collaboration is necessary, and I think even more so in a world where international stability is not a given and business relationships are becoming increasingly transactional. We should dare to think beyond zero-sum games and focus on strategic cooperation where interests create synergy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The proof is in the pudding. Tech companies need to talk to growers and robots need to spend time with plants, something my hortitech guru and colleague Colinda de Beer<\/a> have been preaching for years. Too often, technology companies focus too early and too much pushing their technology. They expect their company to realize commercial growth too soon; and often because they are telling their investors or R&D budget decision-makers what they want to hear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What tech companies really need is early feedback, though love from growers, and to look beyond technology push. What challenges do growers face in terms of labour productivity, knowledge, operations? You can\u2019t desk-study that shit. And once you\u2019ve managed to develop a MVP to validate, the next question is: What do technology companies offer growers to take the first loss of commercialization of their robot?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Investment is needed to speed up development and adoption from a company and societal perspective, and it must come from various stakeholders in the ecosystem:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The dawn of horticultural robotics is more than a tech trend, it\u2019s critical for securing the future of the Dutch horticultural sector. The industry needs ambitious international entrepreneurs, robots training in greenhouses, and financiers who dare to lead. In the philosophical words of Churchill or Mulisch, 2026 represents the \u201cend of the beginning.\u201d And in the technical terms of Gritd, it is the moment when a number of horticultural robotic companies will progress into Stage 2 of their Startup Framework<\/a>. What will be your role in 2026?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Download your free guide to HighTeach Horticulture here<\/a>, to learn more about partnerships and networks organisations, international companies that already have set up shop in our region, funding and incentives and talent and recruitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every year in early June, right before GreenTech Amsterdam, we open the doors to the most innovative greenhouse operations in the region. One day, fully immersive: this is what Dutch horticulture looks like up close. Watch the aftermovie and mark your calendars for 2027.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n You can view this embedded content after you have accepted cookies from YouTube.<\/p>\n\t\t\tTurning points in AgTech<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Three steps of success<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1) International entrepreneurship<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2) Tech meets growers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3) Smart investment for scale<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Want to learn more about HighTech Horticulture?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
See it yourself<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/b0l7feW_dus\/maxresdefault.jpg\")
\n\t\t