Poland: meet Carolien Spaans- new Agricultural Counsellor

Can you tell us something about yourself?

I was born in De Bilt in the Netherlands. It is close to the city Utrecht where I went to high school and when I moved out of my parents’ house, Utrecht became my home town. I studied Political Science, International Relations, at the University of Amsterdam and after I graduated I first did some travelling before I started working. After following a 3 month course at the Institute for international relations Clingendael and some side jobs, I started working for the Ministry of Agriculture in 2006. Although originally I don’t have a background in agriculture, this sector is very much appealing to me. I have learned and am still learning, about the agricultural dossiers on the job and especially in the last three years, when I was Agricultural Counsellor for the Embassy of the Netherlands in Ukraine.

What attracts you in the agricultural sector?

First of all, farmers are providing for our food, every day throughout the year. It is something we cannot take for granted and I think many people would appreciate food more if they would see how their potatoes or grains are growing in the fields, how the weather is of influence and also how much technology and innovation is behind it.

For example vegetable seed companies are among the most innovative in the world, they are breeding new varieties with more resilience to diseases or with a longer shelf life to avoid food waste and with precision farming less input is necessary to gain the same or even more yields.

I enjoy travelling around and visiting and speaking to farmers and companies in the agri-food sector. It provides the opportunity to hear about the specific circumstances as well as opportunities and challenges they face. The Dutch agricultural sector has many strenghts, in technologies, innovation or sector organization (such as the golden triangle – the close cooperation between science, public and private sector), but you cannot apply the same model in all circumstances. Thanks to the visits, it is easier to make the connection and see where the Netherlands can contribute and exchange knowledge.

What is your agenda in Poland for the coming time?

Agriculture is in the regions, not in the capital. So after I settle in, I’m planning to travel in the coming months, for example, in the area of Poznań and Gdańsk to get an introduction in the regions there; visit agricultural fairs and companies. Since the agricultural team is accredited not only for Poland but also for Czechia and Slovakia I will also make introduction visits there.

There are also many conferences and meetings already planned, such as the Circular Agricultural Day on October 10th at the Dutch Embassy with the focus on soil quality and food waste. Especially the topic of soil quality is very important. Changing climate conditions, the risk of water deficit, combined with high sandiness of the soils results in lower soil productivity and makes the Polish agricultural sector vulnerable in the near future. Dutch knowledge and technical solutions can contribute to mitigation measures, also seen from the perspective of circular agricultural systems. For example, Dutch organic fertilizers can be used as valuable input for strengthening organic matter and soil quality. This fits also perfectly to the vision of the Dutch Minister of Agriculture when it comes to sustainable agriculture. During my stay in Poland, I want to dive into these topics and continue with the work which my predecessor Martijn Homan has done so extensively in the last five years.

And of course I want to get to know the agri-food network, the Polish Ministry of Agriculture, the Polish and Dutch business active in the agri-food sector and my colleagues from other countries who are working here in Poland. So it will be an interesting and busy time! Luckily I have two very experienced colleagues in the agricultural office at the Embassy; Agnieszka Murawska and Katarzyna Kowalczewska who are the heart and memory of our team. So I’m sure everything will continue anyway and they will have me up to speed soon.

Finally, I’m looking forward to get to know my new hometown, Warsaw, discover the cultural life, find a tennis court and enjoy the many restaurants from different parts of the world. I got myself a Dutch style bicycle to have a wider range to explore the city and had already my first friends from the Netherlands visiting me. We visited, for example, the Dutch Garden in Łazienki Park, the multi media fountain, the food halls, and the Warsaw Uprising Museum. I think it is great to discover a new culture, learn about the history and meet the people from the country which will be my home for the coming four years.