Food

Climate change is escalating the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, posing a major threat to global food security. With the world population expected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, innovative and sustainable solutions are crucial.

Greenhouse and tomatoes
Tackling global food security

Food is life: energy, health, and happiness. With the global population exceeding 8 billion, food systems face increasing pressure from factors like urbanization, climate change, biodiversity loss, and food waste. The Netherlands is driving efforts to create a sustainable food system that benefits people, nature, and the climate by ensuring nutritious, accessible, and affordable food for all. Key innovations like Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) and alternative proteins enable efficient, year-round cultivation while reducing environmental impact. By partnering with countries like Japan and combining government, industry, and academic expertise, we can accelerate progress toward sustainable, secure, and prosperous global food systems aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Controlled Environment Agriculture

The Netherlands is pioneering Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), a transformative approach for efficient production of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and plants. CEA ensures higher yields with minimal water, nutrient, and pesticide use, allowing year-round production even in challenging climates. The Dutch horticulture sector is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040 and eliminating plant protection products and nutrient use by 2030. This dedication underscores our mission for a sustainable and prosperous future through innovative agricultural practices.

Alternative sustainable proteins

The Netherlands is excited to showcase alternative proteins as a key driver of sustainable food production. Alternative proteins reduce the reliance on traditional livestock protein production. This approach to food security not only reduces environmental impact but also increases the availability of healthy food globally, and economic opportunities. The Netherlands recognises the importance of partnerships in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health, economic growth, innovation, and responsible consumption. By working together with Japan, combining government, industry and academic expertise, we can accelerate innovation in alternative proteins to create a healthy, more sustainable, secure and prosperous food system for all.

Farming the Future

Our "Farming the Future" campaign promotes Dutch innovation to address global agricultural challenges. The Netherlands Agricultural Network (LAN) connects over 150 professionals to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and partnerships worldwide. By partnering with Japan, we aim to share expertise in advanced agricultural technologies like IoT, robotics, and blockchain to enhance efficiency and sustainability. Collaborations, such as those in Kochi and Mutsu, demonstrate our commitment to overcoming regional challenges and achieving mutual goals in food security and sustainability.