The collaboration between the Netherlands and British Columbia (BC) in the agritech sector has been consistent for the last decennia and continues to grow. Many Dutch immigrants immigrated to BC in the 1950s and played an important role in the development of both the agriculture and horticultural sector in the region.
Their influence is still being reflected today in the ownership structure of the horticultural sector, as well as in the technology that is being used in some of the province’s facilities. The rise of established tech companies, the development of government policies to promote technology and innovation, and BC’s competitive advantages with a strategic geographical location provide a thriving environment for the acceleration of advancements in smart agriculture.
“The Netherlands is well known for its agricultural exports and leadership in using technology to increase production and is admired and followed worldwide. Dutch companies, research institutions, and government bodies are already cooperating on agritech and innovation in projects around the world, including right here in B.C. We look forward to strengthening our partnership to help us reach our goals of using agritech to continue to build innovative and sustainable food systems that help increase our food security and food economy," said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Government of British Columbia
In November 2019, a Letter of Intent (LOI) was signed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality of the Netherlands and the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Jobs, Trade, and Technology of British Columbia. Mutually challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, the government of BC and the Netherlands joined efforts to actively support collaborative opportunities in innovation in agriculture and to collectively find solutions to these global challenges.
Read the complete agenda at www.netherlandsandyou.nl.