Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Netherlands Seeks Deeper India Partnership in Horticulture and Seeds
The Netherlands has sent a group to India to talk about growing fruits and vegetables.
The two countries want to share what they know about farming.
Dutch experts have experience with greenhouses, seeds and growing plants without soil.
This method, called hydroponics, can use less water.
The visitors also want to work with Indian businesses and help set up training and research centres.
They hope these ideas can help farmers earn more money and grow crops in changing weather.
They are also looking at ways to use fewer chemical pesticides.
India and the Netherlands have already agreed to cooperate on agriculture.
A Dutch delegation led by Minister Silvio Erkens is visiting India to expand cooperation in agriculture, especially seeds and horticulture.
The countries aim to combine India’s production capacity with Dutch expertise in sustainable horticulture, greenhouses, seeds and water management.
The delegation is promoting hydroponics, which grows crops without soil and can use less water.
Dutch companies are exploring Indian partnerships and investment, while the Netherlands is discussing five proposed Centres of Excellence in India.
The collaboration aims to raise farmer incomes, reduce pesticide use and develop climate-resilient agricultural practices.
- Who
- A Dutch delegation led by Silvio Erkens, Minister for Food Security, Fisheries and Horticulture, and Indian agricultural representatives and businesses.
- What
- The delegation is seeking stronger India-Netherlands cooperation in horticulture, seeds, hydroponics and agricultural technology.
- When
- The delegation is currently visiting India; the article gives no specific dates.
- Where
- The delegation visited Delhi and Mumbai and is travelling to Bengaluru.
- Why
- To connect Indian agricultural production and experience with Dutch expertise, encourage innovation and business, and support higher farmer incomes and more sustainable food systems.
Potential benefits
Challenges and considerations
Shifting toward horticulture
Potential benefits
The article presents fruit and vegetables as a way to offer farmers more income, crop variety and shorter growing cycles.
Challenges and considerations
It also notes that guaranteed purchases through the Food Corporation of India have encouraged farmers to continue growing grains, even as farm incomes have remained stagnant.
Agricultural technology cooperation
Potential benefits
Dutch expertise in seeds, hydroponics and water management could support innovation and more resource-efficient farming in India.
Challenges and considerations
The article describes this as a developing partnership, with proposed Centres of Excellence still under discussion and two awaiting approval.
- Delegation leader
- Silvio Erkens, Minister for Food Security, Fisheries and Horticulture, Netherlands
- Cities mentioned
- Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru
- Dutch companies in India
- A Netherlands spokesperson says 40 Dutch companies are present in India across several agricultural sectors.
- Centres of Excellence
- Five are under discussion; two are in the approval phase.
- Proposed centre areas
- Vegetables, flowers, potatoes, temperate fruits, dairy training and seed treatment
- Hydroponics
- A soil-free growing system that the article says can produce crops using less water.
- Cooperation agreement
- The article says cooperation was agreed after the Indian prime minister visited the Netherlands.