Iran: Wageningen Webinar

Nieuwsbericht | 15-06-2021 | 06:30

Wageningen Webinar Sponsored by The Tehran Embassy Agricultural Network and NIBC

The webinar began with a short keynote speeches by Mr. Arie Kraaijeveld (Chairman of NIBC), Mr. Alireza Naraghi (Economic Counselor of the Iranian Embassy in The Hague) and Mr. Hans Smolders (Agricultural Counselor for Iran and Iraq, The Netherlands Embassy in Tehran). After the keynote speeches, the following renowned horticulture experts from The Netherlands and Iran gave their presentations to the online audience:

• Mr. Dr. Abbas Yadollahi, Associate Professor at Tarbiat Modares University and Agriculture Consultant of the Secretary Director of Biotechnology Development Council of the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, Iran.

• Mr. Dr. Mohsen Khodadadi, Head of the Vegetable Research Center (VRC) of the Horticulture Science Research Institute (HSRI) of I.R. Iran.

• Dr. Ernst van den Ende, Managing Director of the Plant Science Group of Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands
• Dr. Jouke Campen, International Project Manager for Greenhouse Horticulture at Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands
• Mr. Peter Ravensbergen, Business Developer for Food Systems at Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands

Mr. Rolf Schrauwen, Business Strategy Consultant Agriculture & Horticulture and Associate of NIBC moderated the webinar successfully, with participants ranging from several Iranian ministries, knowledge institutes/universities, the Khorasan Razavi Agricultural and Natural Resources, and other organizations and companies.

In the first presentation, entitled “Agricultural and Horticultural Priorities in Iran,” Dr. Yadollahi gave a general overview of the horticultural sector in Iran with supporting relevant statistics on Iranian agriculture in general. He addressed some goals and targets for development in a frank and condensed manner and highlighted the many challenges and opportunities facing Iran. His presentation of the many priorities facing the country was set in the context of potential collaboration between Iran and The Netherlands, especially in reference to science parks.

Dr. van den Ende of WUR set the stage for the other WUR speakers that followed his talk by giving a general yet highly focused introduction to WUR activities, capabilities and know-how. The central theme of his talk was in reference to the science and market-driven “Wageningen Approach” which underscores an integrated and holistic greenhouse design framework. He also delved into the “Triple Helix”, or the famous Dutch Government-Industry-University collaboration aimed at greater innovation and sustainability. In these approaches, Dr. van den Ende empathized the need for alignment of research agendas between external stakeholders and the way WUR takes into account local and contextual needs of its clients. There is no doubt that WUR is leading the way in developing disruptive technologies and innovations, paving the road ahead in horticulture development toward greater sustainability and broad-acre applications, e.g. high-tech planting in the field and in innovative outdoor spaces. Last but not least, the role of robotics and bioinformatics was highlighted as just two of the many areas of innovation spearheaded by Wageningen University and its world-class scientists.

Dr. Khodadadi’s presentation, entitled “Seed Production for Greenhouse Vegetable Production in Iran,” began with a look into statistics behind the increasing trend in cultivation volumes and acreages of vegetable production in Iran. Dr. Khodadadi explained the different types of greenhouse structures used in vegetable production and highlighted the many challenges facing producers. Besides lack of new technologies and mono-cropping, the need for a domestic F1 seed production (based on 3 different models) was identifies as one of the main challenges facing this sector, with increasing seed prices due to sanctions and resulting high inflation. Establishing a “seed corridor,” right legislation, joint ventures, and an efficient supply chain mechanism were mentioned by him as means for establishing an invigorated seed production sector with good access to seeds and genetic materials.

The next speaker who has been very active in the Middle East before the pandemic was Dr. Campen of WU. He began his presentation (“Greenhouse Horticulture Management, Innovation, and Capacity Development”) with some figures in Dutch horticultural economics and moved on to the main research topics covered by WUR: energy & water savings, IPM, substrates, irrigation & fertigation, taste & quality, and labor. Dr. Campen pointed out the presence of various WUR research stations across the globe, including those in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Australia, all as an indicator of the need for adoption of specific greenhouse designs aimed at local conditions and contexts. Pointing to water saving and IPM pilot projects in the Middle East, Dr. Campen described the need for adaptive greenhouse designs which are optimized to suit particular local climate conditions around the world. This adaptive model is a unique and integrated approach used by WUR for greenhouse design, employing feedback loops and economic feasibility indicators to help farmers across the world build profitable operations by overcoming various production challenges. The concluding remark by Dr. Campen pointed to one of WUR’s greatest challenges: transfer of knowledge to farmers and implementing innovations. This challenge, he said, is overcome by building demonstration farms for easy adoption of new technologies.  (Optional text: This presentation ended with a charming picture of Dr. Campen in the desert next to a camel).

Mr. Peter Ravensbergen, a WUR business development specialist and supply chain expert with a family background in flower production, gave a fascinating talk on “the transition towards sustainability: advantages of clustering of Dutch greenhouse parks”. Mr. Ravensbergen mentioned and discussed six major advantages of clustering in greenhouse site (park) development:

1. Knowledge sharing and development
2. Spatial integration & design
3. Sustainability in energy and waste management
4. Water optimization
5. Agro-Logistics
6. Waste management and circular agriculture

His presentation included several excellent examples and case studies of the above-mentioned advantages. Standing out was the example of the World Horti Center in Naaldwijk, a beautiful complex which has integrated the educational, business, and research aspects of horticulture under one roof. Other outstanding examples given by Peter included design aesthetics in greenhouse parks, along with use of sustainable energy sources such as geothermal, CHP, and biomass. More thought provoking examples were:

1. Farmers who are “sharing energy” from data centers in “energy cooperatives” as innovative multifunctional models of energy economics in greenhouse park development.
2. Combining rainwater collection in ponds with floating solar panels was an interesting example of integrating, or stacking, of functions in energy/water collection.
3. Sequestration of residual CO2 from a site at Rotterdam port transported by pipeline to greenhouses elsewhere was another fascinating example of Dutch innovation in the growing circular economy of the Netherlands.
4. Use of greenhouse wastewater for growing of microalgae.

Mr. Ravensbergen went on to note the development of clusters of “tradeparks” or hotspots of agro-logistics around greenhouse parks as a means to increasing efficiency and sustainability. In conclusion, in this presentation the key aspect of “integrated design” in the “Wageningen Approach” to horticulture and greenhouse development was singled out as the dominant force in how Wageningen is maintaining its edge as the leading institution in horticulture innovation, research, and education.

The above presentation were followed by a brief Q&A session in which a number of participants asked their questions, mostly in regards to means and ways for future collaboration between Iran and the Netherlands. In passing it was mentioned by Mr. Schrauwen that the next webinar in this series is to be held on 9th June on the topic of seeds.

Hans Smolders, The Agricultural Counselor at the Netherlands Embassy in Tehran, gave the concluding remarks. He emphasized the need for a platform to channel the many questions and requests from Iranian entities into concrete actions/projects. He stressed that he is ready to take up the challenge of finding a roadmap for how WUR can start applying its know-how in addressing these questions and concerns.