Dutch-Argentine collaboration for sustainable agriculture and tech innovation

Sowing the seeds of innovation: driving agricultural advancement

At the heart of this dynamic collaboration lies a shared commitment to developing sustainable and efficient agricultural practices. A recent high-level mission from the Argentine seed sector to the Netherlands underscored this focus, providing key insights into Dutch excellence in R&D, intellectual property, and phytosanary standards, all aimed at boosting Argentina's horticultural seed market competitiveness. This visit highlighted the Netherlands' leadership, built on public-private cooperation and significant R&D investment.

Several projects exemplify this spirit of innovation:

• Biodiversity Indicators in Production Value Chains: This pioneering multi-year project, supported by the LVVN Office and Wageningen University, aims to develop robust biodiversity indicators for agricultural and livestock systems across four key regions of Argentina: Gran Chaco, Pampa, Patagonia, and Cuyo. It’s the first research of its kind to cover such a broad spectrum of productive chains and regions, emphasizing environmental relevance and ecosystem services for sustainable activity.
• Soil Conservancy: Addressing critical environmental concerns, this project focuses on developing comprehensive sustainability indicators for biodiversity, soil health, and water use within farming systems. Experts from Wageningen Research are actively involved in this initiative, which seeks to inform updated agricultural protocols and broader sustainability assessments.
• Saline Agriculture Innovation Hub: Initiated in 2024, this project directly confronts the growing challenge of soil and water salinization in Argentina, a significant threat to agricultural productivity in regions like the Humid Pampas, where up to 38% of soils are affected. This "Climate Smart Innovation Hub" fosters collaboration between Dutch (WUR, VU, The Salt Doctors) and Argentine stakeholders to develop cutting-edge technologies, including salt-tolerant crops and sustainable water management, while strengthening value chains and building capacity through knowledge exchange.
• AgTech Exchange Platform: Recognizing Argentina's burgeoning AgTech sector, this platform promotes Dutch knowledge and technology, aiming to strengthen regional networks between Dutch and Argentine AgTech startups. It seeks to identify business opportunities, exchange best practices, and facilitate the entry of Dutch players into the Argentine market, building on mapping research conducted in both countries.
• Carbon Market & Developments "Carbon Path Towards a Sustainable Use": This initiative creates a vital space for discussion and learning on carbon balance in Argentine agriculture and cattle ranching. Through workshops and expert presentations, it aims to establish a comprehensive understanding of carbon strategies, measurement methodologies, and future challenges in the sector.

Benefits of collaboration

Through these collaborative ventures, Argentina and the Netherlands are not just exchanging knowledge but are actively co-creating solutions for a more sustainable and technologically advanced global agricultural future. This robust partnership serves as a testament to what can be achieved when nations unite to address common challenges with shared expertise and a forward-looking vision, truly embodying the spirit of LVVN's commitment to global sustainable agricultural progress.

More information

Would you like to know more about the work done by the LVVN Office in Argentina and the ongoing projects the LAN Cono Sur team is involved in? Keep visiting our country page of Argentina at this website of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature. You can also send an email to the LAN team in Buenos Aires: bue-lvvn@minbuza.nl.