Dutch horticultural visit in mid-April to Bulgaria
Nieuwsbericht | 12-05-2023 | 10:56
Dutch golden triangle (business-knowledge institutes-government) visited Bulgaria in April to explore and expand opportunities for bilateral cooperation in horticulture. The visit was a follow-up of the Dutch horticultural mission from October 2022. The group met with representatives of Bulgarian fruit and vegetable producers and other agri-businesses, government, non-governmental organizations and knowledge institutions.
The group met with Mr. Petar Kirovski – Head of Crop Production Directorate at the Ministry of Agriculture, as well International Relations Directorate officials. Directions for future bilateral initiatives in horticulture were discussed along with the role of the Ministry as a key stakeholder.
The main visit goals were getting first-hand impressions on the challenges and needs in Bulgarian fruit and vegetable sector in order to match them with the most suitable solutions the Netherlands could offer, outlining a number of specific fields where cooperation is mostly needed, and establishing institutional and working relationships with key Bulgarian stakeholders willing to actively partner in future initiatives.
H.E. Mr. Simon van der Burg – Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Sofia, hosted a network reception with key Bulgarian stakeholders. He emphasized the substantial growth potential that Bulgarian fruit and vegetable production has and the commitment of the Netherlands and the Sofia Embassy team to contribute unlocking it. BG sector representatives declared their willingness to partner in future bilateral initiatives.
Three main directions for cooperation were highlighted during the series of meetings:
Post-harvest handling and processing - Know-how transfer from Dutch businesses and knowledge institutes in creating and operating a successful business model.
Capacity building in development of functional cooperatives and producer groups that would improve structurally the fruit and vegetable supply chain.
Development of demonstration farm/facility for technology and knowledge exchange between businesses and educational institutions from both countries.
The group attended a workshop at the Agricultural University Plovdiv on its transformation into bioeconomy knowledge institute – a project executed in close cooperation also with the Wageningen University and Research.
Visit to the experimental orchard, vineyard and winery of the Agricultural University Plovdiv, where the group got first-hand impressions on the capability of AUP to successfully run demonstration facility. The AUP’s role as key stakeholder in future bilateral activities was discussed with Prof. Vladislav Popov – Vice Rector.
The Netherlands has identified the huge potential of Bulgaria in horticulture and is willing to partner in unlocking it. To turn the challenges into opportunities. The Embassy in Sofia is committed to support Bulgarian fruit and vegetable production in its inevitable leap to a higher level.
More good news to come…
AUP’s experimental vineyards – a gene bank for 300+ grape varieties.
Wine-making explained at the AUP’s experimental winery by its chief technologist Lambrin Topuzliev
Business lunch with members of the Board of the Bulgarian Greenhouse Growers’ Association (BAPOP). During an open and frank discussion producers shared very valuable information about the challenges and needs of Bulgarian greenhouse sector. Both sides emphasized the key importance of post-harvesting and cooperatives as fields of future bilateral partnerships and know-how transfer. The Association declared its commitments to play active role in BG-NL initiatives in fruit and vegetable production.
Visit at the Opora Zaden demo greenhouse – BG partner of NL Enza Zaden - one of the global seed market leaders.
Visit to a 3-year-old cherry orchard in Southwest Bulgaria ran by Ivo - a young entrepreneur (Dutch graduate) recently entered the agribusiness.
