Research and Innovation Agenda
Our world is facing enormous challenges. The global population will increase by more than two billion people within the lifespan of the next generation.
Research and Innovation Agenda
The goal of the Top Sector for Horticulture & Starting Materials is to be the world leader in successful solutions for global societal challenges in the areas of food, the environment in which we live, climate, energy and sustainability. Cooperation between industry, academia and the government is of paramount importance in achieving this goal.
The Research and Innovation Agenda of the Top Sector for Horticulture & Starting Materials outlines what our business community, government and academic and research institutions will be working on in the coming years. This agenda is one of six RIAs being drawn up as part of the mission-driven research and innovation policy. The Horticulture & Starting Materials, Agri & Food, and Water & Maritime top sectors have drawn up this RIA jointly, in consultation with various ministries, regions and a wide range of stakeholders, including the business community, research institutes and NGOs.
Consult the Research and Innovation Agenda for Agriculture, Water and Food 2020-2023
Missions for the Top Sector
The mission-driven Top Sectors and Innovation Policy sets out the Netherlands’ goals and missions for a number of major societal themes. The Top Sector Horticulture & Starting Materials focuses on the development of knowledge, ranging from fundamental strategic to applied research, and on the valorisation of knowledge. This is based on four missions:
- Circular agriculture: by 2030, the agricultural and horticultural sectors will be using substantially fewer raw materials and consumables. As much value as possible is extracted from all residual flows and finished products.
- Climate-neutral agriculture and food production: by 2050, the sector will operate in a climate-neutral manner. The emission of greenhouse gases is compensated for by additional sequestration of CO2 in the soil and in nature. The sector will no longer be using fossil raw materials and will be a supplier of renewable energy.
- Climate-proof rural and urban areas: by 2050, both rural and urban areas in the Netherlands will have become more climate-proof and water-robust.
- Valued, healthy and safe food: by 2030, the sector will produce healthy, safe and sustainable food. The food production system will be robust and green products will make a valuable contribution to its environment.
These four missions are supported by cross-cutting topics such as Artificial Intelligence, robotisation and seed technology.