Strawberry grower Hans Bevers from Rijkevorsel was one of the first strawberry farms to pioneer a UV robot for white disease control three years ago, reports VILT. This year, this biological form of crop protection is making inroads in Flanders.
The grower is also leading the way in switching to ever-bearing strawberry plants, plants that can give strawberries from spring to autumn. With this plant type, he manages to spread the labor pressure on the farm better and thus curb rising labor costs.
Bevers still sees potential for strawberry cultivation. Next year, he plans to expand rack cultivation under foil by one and a half hectares. Even with this farm expansion, Bevers is representative of the development in strawberry cultivation, according to Vermeiren. "The cultivation area has been stabilizing around 900 hectares for several years, but the number of farms is decreasing slightly. Older growers are retiring, others are expanding."
Read the full article at: VILT