Dutch horticultural suppliers contribute to success of sustainable farming program

During a Dutch trade mission to South Africa on July 7, the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Lilianne Ploumen, praised cooperation between Dutch horticultural suppliers and local entrepreneurs.

Ploumen mentioned Jomajoco, a sustainable lettuce farm in South Africa, as a prime example. She singled out the work of Bosman Van Zaal and Hoogendoorn; who both contributed to a sustainable and food-safe production by bringing in advanced technology that is fitted to local conditions.

Ploumen also announced an official agreement with Jomajoco and a group of Dutch horticultural suppliers, including Bosman Van Zaal and Hoogendoorn, to further develop innovations at Jomajoco’s new greenhouse.

Jomajoco participates in the "Farming for the future" program. The program aims to produce vegetables in harmony with nature, thus ensuring that African farms will be able to produce enough food for future generations. There is also significant emphasis placed on limiting the use of resources and chemicals.

Jomajoco uses innovative technology to meet the program's high demands on quality and sustainability. For example, lettuce undercover is not grown in the ground but inside growing gutters. This means that less water and fertilizers are required for production. With use of the patented irrigation unit Cyclone, by Bosman Van Zaal, carbonates can be removed from the water and in turn deliver a better mix of water and fertilizer.

The Hoogendoorn iSii process computer is used to control overall water management. This system makes it possible to adjust the supply from various water sources to the needs of the plant. In addition, the iSii ensures that water not absorbed by the plants is collected, disinfected and reused. Thanks to recirculation and providing water exactly in accordance to the plant needs, Jomajoco has been able to achieve a considerable increase in yield per m² and to decrease water use by 30 percent (compared to open field cultivation).