With the support of the Dutch Government via Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) a Study Tour to the Netherlands for the group of students and teachers of 5 Ukrainain agrarian Universities was organized on growing and developing niche/nevel crop markets and strengthening of Dutch-Ukrainian cooperation in the agricultural sector.
Dutch-Ukrainian cooperation in the field of novel / niche crops
The Ukrainian agricultural sector is looking towards greater diversification and the value-added processing of crops into products. To increase Ukrainian-Dutch cooperation in this, the Novel crops bilateral program was set up to stimulate peer-to-peer knowledge exchange to develop a business case for novel crops in Ukraine, building on knowledge and experience from the Netherlands.
The Study visit is the part of this program, which main task is developing projects for growing protein, fiber crops and high-margin vegetables in Ukraine.
The next half year, the program participants will receive a course by Aeres, and work out their own business cases regarding novel crops.
Participants
The program was attended by students and teachers of the educational programs "Agronomy" and "Administrative Management" from 5 agrarian universities of Ukraine - partners of Educational project "Agrokebety"
Kherson State Agrarian University
Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University
Tavria State Agrotechnological University
National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine
During the visit, the participants got acquainted with the Dutch agricultural sector, visited farms, research centers, processing plants and spoke with experts who are shaping the future of European agriculture. Students got introduced to new crops applications and innovative cultivation methods such as regenerative practices and precision techniques.
From the Dutch side the visit program was organized by the Food Security Platform Ukraine, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine.
Beeld: © https://agrokebety.com/
Kick off meeting at the Embassy of Ukraine in the Kingdom of the Netherlands
During the meeting, the Ambassador of Ukraine Andriy Kostin congratulated the students on joining the programme and highlighted the importance of investing in people and developing professional skills for Ukraine’s recovery and future growth.
Remember that Europe needs Ukraine no less than Ukraine need Europe,
Andriy Kostin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, said in his welcome words to the participants of the program.
Ukraine is not only a country that needs help, but also a country of opportunities for business and investment,
emphasized Joost Klarenbeek, Special Envoy of the Netherlands for Ukraine.
Beeld: © https://agrokebety.com/
Beeld: © https://agrokebety.com/
Introductory session with Food Security Platform Ukraine
On the first day in the Netherlands, participants met with the Niche Crops Cluster of Food Security Platform Ukraine , coordinated by Schuttelaar & Partners. In an introductory session the participants learned about modern food system of the Netherlands and the global transition to more sustainable food production. In 2025 the report "Cultivation and Chain Development of Novel Crops in Ukraine" commissioned by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl), Schuttelaar & Partners and Agri & Food Support Altena B.V. set the basis for developement of Dutch-Ukrainian cooperation in novel crops sector. Read more in Lenkedin
Beeld: © https://agrokebety.com/
Wageningen University & Research
WUR is among world's leading agricultural universities and is a hub for Food Valley innovation. During the visit, students saw: Food & Biobased Research – where agricultural residues are transformed into new biomaterials and products. Netherlands Plant Eco-phenotyping Centre – laboratories where sensors, automation and AI help analyse plant development.
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Royal Avebe & Farm of Future
Royal Avebe unites more than 2,000 farmers in the Netherlands and Germany. Avebe enterprises process about 3 million tons of potatoes each year. It has more than 1,200 employees and production sites in the Netherlands. Germany and Sweden. The students learned how starch and protein are produced from potatoes for the food, textile, paper and construction industries.
Farm of the Future is a WUR research site where future farming systems are tested. It introduces strip crop planting , precision farming, and technologies for reducing the use of pesticides. The main question of the farm: how to maintain productivity while improving soil health and biodiversity.
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Ecofarm Lingehof is an example of a successful organic farm built on long-term land use and biodiversity principles. Students learned how organic production can be economically successful and environmentally friendly at the same time.
Day 5: focus on dual education, potato chains, organic
Aeres & Warmonderhof is one of the most famous centers of agricultural education in the Netherlands. The training is based on a combination of theory and practice right on training farms and innovative greenhouses. Students learned about the training of future farmers and the principles of organic production.
Aviko is one of the world's largest producers of potato products, which is supplied to more than 100 countries around the world. Participants saw how the modern potato processing chain works from the field to the finished product.
De Bolster Organic Seeds has over 45 years of experience in organic seeds, produces over 370 varieties of vegetables, herbs and flowers, operates in more than 20 countries around the world, is one of the few large seed companies in the Netherlands that operates 100% organically. All seeds are certified as organic and GMO-free.
Beeld: © https://agrokebety.com/
Beeld: © Agrokebety
Second week of Study Visit Novel Crops AgroKebety
Regenerative farm “De Scholvert” works from 1862 and cultivates about 50 hectares of land in the Rhine valley. It grows durum wheat, spelt, ryegrass seeds, rapeseed, mustard, as well as local wildflowers and herbs. The farm owner is one of the founders of the Protein Farmers network (Eiwitboeren van Nederland) and a participant in biodiversity restoration projects. The students saw how the principles of regenerative agriculture combine product production, soil restoration and the support of natural ecosystems. Particular attention is paid to the development of local food chains and the preservation of biodiversity.
Beeld: © Agrokebety
Wageningen University & Research & FoodValley NL brings together over 500 participants from the agri-food sector, and the Bean Deal initiative has over 50 signatory organizations working to increase the production and consumption of plant-based proteins in the Netherlands. At the presentation, students learned how collaboration between science, business and government is accelerating the protein transition and shaping the food systems of the future.
Beeld: © Agrokebety
Vista Verde Belgium specializes in the cultivation and sale of bamboo for landscaping, construction and industrial use. Bamboo also finds application in the agricultural and food industries. More in LinkedIn
Van den Borne Academy
Jacob van den Borne's farm is one of the most famous examples of precision farming in Europe. The company uses GPS navigation, drones, satellite monitoring, sensors and digital field management systems. Precision farming technologies have been implemented here since 2009. VDBorne Campus - a testing ground for robotic solutions and innovative agricultural technologies. The students had a meeting with Jacob van den Borne himself, who gave a tour and shared his own experience in developing high-tech farming, was especially valuable.
Beeld: © Agrokebety
Beeld: © Agrokebety
Wageningen Campus meeting on protein transition
Wageningen Campus is one of the leading agri-food innovation hubs in Europe and brings together over 7,500 researchers, entrepreneurs and business representatives. During an interactive session by Doetzen Wagenaar (Schuttelaar & Partners), participants discussed the role of soy in the protein transition and the development of sustainable food systems.
Beeld: © Agrokebety
Presentation of project ideas
In 4 inter-university teams, the participants presented pilot projects dedicated to the development of niche crops in Ukraine.
The focus was on green peas for the production of vegetable protein, buckwheat, chickpeas, lentils, pumpkins and other promising crops that can occupy an important place in the Ukrainian and European markets.
The most valuable thing in this program is not only knowledge or new contacts. It is an attempt to combine the practical experience of Dutch farmers and agribusiness with Ukrainian realities and challenges on the path to integration into the European market.
And this is just the beginning. By the end of the year the Novel crop initiative will be continue and the best ideas will get further support for the development.
Beeld: © Agrokebety