Van Duijn De Jong Aubergines is one of the participants in the FVO's 100% Green Grown project. Since last year, the growers have been experimenting with the innovative method of cultivation at their site in Steenbergen. Until September, the growers were running entirely on organic means, they share in a blog.
At the Steenbergen location, the growers have 8.5 hectares divided into two greenhouses. In one greenhouse, they grow according to the conventional method, while in the other, they are testing the '100% Green Grown' project. "By comparing these two methods directly, we can see which approach works best. This way, we learn from both and can make concrete improvements," they explain in a blog.
The '100% Green Grown' project is a collaboration between grower cooperatives, suppliers, and FVO. "Our goal is to develop an integral, resilient cultivation system that is completely green while remaining profitable. We look not only at the cultivation itself but also at water management, climate, and the substrate we grow on. Everything must contribute to sustainable and future-proof cultivation. This project covers seven different crops, including aubergines, and we expect to see within three years whether we can fulfill this ambition."
The challenge of crop protection
Aubergines are naturally robust and relatively unaffected by diseases, but pests such as aphids, thrips, caterpillars, and whiteflies remain a challenge, the Steenbergen-based growers know. The aim of the '100% Green Grown' project is to phase out chemical pesticides and replace them with biological alternatives. The package of available agents is shrinking, and new green solutions often take a long time to develop. "We want to discover how we can still continue to grow profitably without chemicals," he says.
Last season was the first year of this three-year project. "We managed to run entirely on organic means from December to September. This was a big step forward, but in September we faced higher aphid pressure, which meant we had to use chemicals once. This shows that we are still searching for the right balance between sustainability and economic feasibility."
Innovations in crop protection and cultivation methods
Growers have also taken new steps to control pests, such as the use of insect netting. This netting was installed in December in the 4.5-hectare greenhouse that is part of the project. It limits the entry of pests and prevents beneficial insects from escaping. "This could help reduce aphid pressure, so we may need fewer biological agents in the coming season."
The '100% Green Grown' project is challenging, growers feel, but at the same time, it offers them a lot of value. "We are now accepting more damage and higher costs, but at the same time, we are learning a huge amount. This project helps us move towards a more sustainable future. We are at the forefront with this project, which is hugely valuable for us. We still have a few years to learn, and we need to make the most of this time. With the '100% Green Grown' project, we are taking important steps towards a sustainable and profitable future for aubergines. By investing in innovation and sustainability, we are building a future-proof aubergine crop that is not only good for the environment but also for consumers. It's a long road, but the first results are promising!"
Source: Van Duijn De Jong Aubergines