DINTELOORD, The Netherlands – Rijk Zwaan, a leader in agricultural innovation, has unveiled its latest breakthrough in fruit breeding with the inauguration of a new greenhouse facility in Dinteloord. Dedicated to advancing the development of new berry varieties, this state-of-the-art greenhouse sets a new standard in sustainable and efficient farming practices.
The newly opened greenhouse incorporates cutting-edge climate control technologies and energy-efficient systems designed to create optimal conditions for year-round research and breeding activities. Officially launched on June 21st, the facility represents a significant investment in Rijk Zwaan’s commitment to expanding its product offerings in the berry segment.
Michiel Zwaan, Crop Manager for Berries at Rijk Zwaan, expressed enthusiasm about the new facility, stating, “Our new breeding greenhouse signifies a pivotal advancement in our efforts to innovate within the realm of fruit and vegetable breeding. With this facility, our team can conduct research under ideal conditions, accelerating our efforts in developing new and improved varieties of strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries.”
Rijk Zwaan, established in 1924, has a rich history in vegetable breeding and has recently expanded its focus to include berries. Pieter Egelmeers, Breeding Manager, elaborated on their approach, “Berries, traditionally propagated vegetatively, pose unique challenges in breeding. Our program integrates both traditional and innovative seed-based approaches to enhance our breeding capabilities. By leveraging our expertise in research and seed production, we aim to introduce novel varieties that deliver value across the agricultural supply chain.”
The opening ceremony was attended by Rijk Zwaan team members and key construction partners, who were given a firsthand look at the advanced facilities. The occasion also saw a gesture of corporate social responsibility from Van der Hoeven, a construction partner, towards the Sibusiso foundation in Tanzania. Menno van den Brink, CTO of Van der Hoeven, emphasized their support, stating, “As suppliers, we take pride in supporting Rijk Zwaan’s pioneering efforts in berry breeding. Our collective contribution reflects our commitment to sustainable practices and community welfare.”
