Last week, Takumi Nemoto, the Japanese Minister of Reconstruction, visited Westland. Mayor Van der Tak received the Minister and his delegation at Koppert Cress in Monster and the delegation's trip continued to Tomato World in Honselersdijk. After previous visits of the Japanese Ambassador and the Minister of Agriculture, the Japanese Minister was also acquainted with the innovative and sustainable horticulture in Westland. The minister came specially to learn about the Westland involvement in the 'Sendai Horti Experience', a modern horticultural project in Japan, to be realize in a region devastated by the tsunami.
In Sendai, 35 hectares of modern horticulture is realized on the initiative of the Dutch horticultural industry. Westland entrepreneurs are the driving force behind the reconstruction of this area, including Remko Bakelaar (Vijverberg Advice), Rob Baan (Koppert Cress) and the Brothers Valstar from De Lier (cultivation advice). The Westland supports and facilitates the Japanese horticultural project in Sendai. The Horti Sendai Experience is to come in an area that was almost completely destroyed by a tsunami in March 2011. Minister Nemoto is responsible for the reconstruction of affected areas, such as Sendai and Fukushima.
In the second half of September, yet another visit by a Japanese minister to the Westland horticultural industry is on the agenda. In mid-October a group of Westland companies will go to Japan at the request of the Japanese Minister, this time to uphold trade relations between the two regions.
Right, below: The Japanese minister of reconstruction, Takumi Nemoto, visits TomatoWorld. Photo: Silvia Swart via twitter
Right, below: The Japanese minister of reconstruction, Takumi Nemoto, visits TomatoWorld. Photo: Silvia Swart via twitter