The cleaner the production, the safer the food
We live in interesting times. In our sector, greenhouse horticulture, we work with living crops. That’s why hygiene and producing food safely in a greenhouse is an absolute priority. A clean, predictable and controllable environment is an important aspect in this process. Unique to the high-tech greenhouse is that a natural process of growth can be controlled and optimized. That is not only highly valuable to food safety, but also for the environment. Because in comparison to soil cultivation, a high-tech greenhouse can produce more food with less water, fertilizer and land.
When it comes to food safety, the high-tech greenhouse is protected from plagues, bacteria and viruses by the use of biological, not chemical, pesticides. “The cleaner we produce fruit and vegetables, the cleaner the soil, and the ground and surface water surrounding the greenhouses,” states Sander van Golberdinge, Public Affairs Manager at Grodan.
For example, parasitic wasps are used to counter aphids. How great is that?! In addition, in the Netherlands the purification of water is mandatory since 2018, ensuring that no contaminated water can be discharged outside of the greenhouses. A good development.