Mexican-Dutch plant propagation specialist Plantanova has announced the launch of a new venture located in Europe's horticulture heartland aimed at encouraging the cross-pollination of ideas and expertise between Mexico and the Netherlands.
Based in the World Horti Center in the Netherlands' Westland region, the new facility, which will open in February 2025, is being developed to act as a cultural bridge between the two countries that will both enable Dutch experts to access the Mexican market and help Mexican plant propagators to access renowned Dutch knowhow with Plantanova as a development and trialing center.
Based in the World Horti Center in the Netherlands' Westland region, the new facility, which will open in February 2025, is being developed to act as a cultural bridge between the two countries that will both enable Dutch experts to access the Mexican market and help Mexican plant propagators to access renowned Dutch knowhow with Plantanova as a development and trialing center.
Plantanova's General Manager, Pharis Rico, said: "In Mexico, we have more light than our plants need, so why then are we using artificial light? The reason is that the amount of light isn't important; what's important is the spectrum of light which serves to regulate plant growth. There are a lot of promising technologies that are either not yet available in Mexico or there is a lack of understanding of how to use them. In a place like the World Horti Center, there are a huge amount of people that have experience and informed opinions about artificial light."
Sharing expertise and technologies
While in other parts of North America, such decisions are typically motivated by economic reasons, Rico says newer technologies can actually aid job creation in Mexico.
"In Canada for example, one of the principal reasons for automation is to save on labor, given its expensive and there's a shortage of manpower. In contrast, Plantanova is investing in machinery for a different reason," he says. "Rather than looking to hire fewer people, investing in new technologies enables us to not only increase productivity but also to create sources of employment and through this to alleviate some of the social problems affecting Mexico."
Located at the Netherlands' research and technology epicenter for horticulture in Naaldwijk, Plantanova's new premises will focus on bringing together the right technology innovators with the correct industry experts to offer the best possible solution to connect Dutch and worldwide providers with Mexican plant propagators and growers.
"In order to connect the dots between different solution providers and talented individuals, we need to have a presence in a place where these companies and that talent come together. We also aspire to collaborate with competitors in Mexico and together raise standards," Rico adds.
"Another key aim is to serve as a point-of-entry for companies into Mexico; a country which can be challenging due to cultural differences when it comes to developing relationships and businesses, but above all because the need for technological tools can be very different to Europe, the US and Canada. However, with our experience as proof, we can say Mexico offers a land of opportunities for plant propagation."
For more information:
Plantanova
horticonnect.com.mx/plantanova