Miracle in Agriculture of the Netherlands

 

The Netherlands is nicknamed the grocery of Europe. In 2008, according to the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, exported agricultural products ranked second in the world (after the US), accounting for 7.7 % of world market share with 10 leading export items such as flowers, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, eggs, cheese, condensed milk, barley beer, cocoa cake and oil. Three items rank second in world export: pork, chocolate and cigarettes. Importantly, only 5 % of the population engage in agricultural production which makes up 10 % of GDP.

 

With high technology, intensive production and modern management, a Dutch can create an export value of US$140,600 a year (US$39,200 in France, US$35.300 in Australia, US$19,900 in the US). The export rate is US$18,570 per hectare of land (excluding aquatic products) or US$2 per sq. metre a year. In addition to large-scale milk cows-raising, the Netherlands also has 35,000-40,000 hectares of potato species supplying 70 % of the world demand to nearly 80 countries. Potato export post at over 70,000 tonnes a year. It also makes up 60 % of the world flower market share. The tulip has become the symbol of the Netherlands with 1.7 million tonnes a year exported to 80 countries.

Although one fourth of the territory is below sea level and one third is under the danger of being submerged by sea and river water, the Netherlands has developed its agriculture and become a bright example of overcoming natural difficulties.

 

The infrastructure is the foundation of the agricultural success and sustainable development. For thousands of years, before the invention of electricity, Dutch people used windmills to pump water out of submerged areas. After each storm, they rebuilt the dike system into a world famous water conservancy project. In 1953 in particular, a big storm from the North Sea submerged the land 6-m deep under water. The Netherlands has built the biggest sea wall in the world to protect its land port city of Rotterdam. The life span of the sea wall is 10,000 years and river dike is 1,250 years.

 

The Netherlands is also leading the world in wind power. Today, there are still 100-years old windmills in the countryside; some were even built in 1400. They helped Dutch people in draining out water and grinding cereals, fighting against natural calamities and nurturing people.

 

The policy on farming households has also contributed to its success. The Netherlands has ensured each household full autonomy in business planning and usage of resources, encouraging their dynamism and creativeness to get maximum profit. As a result, farmers have to make the best use of their limited resources to overcome difficulties.

 

For its part, the government has focused capital and high technology on agricultural development. For example, resources and high technology are needed for planting and exporting flowers, green houses for high yield tomatoes, melons, and chili peppers for export all year round. In particular, potato species have been improved and exported world wide for fast food. The agricultural production is based on market and society, customers’ taste and demand. LTO is one of the three organizations for technology transfer and services. It helps Dutch farmers improve the agricultural production. LTO has 52,000 members with a total of 83,000 farmers.