The official launch of the Greenhouse Impact Cluster project, a pioneering public-private initiative between Dutch and Bangladeshi partners, took place during the BIDA Investment Summit in Dhaka and the Best of Bangladesh event in Amsterdam. The project, coordinated by Dutch Greenhouse Delta (DGD), marks a major step towards developing sustainable and resource efficient crop cultivation practices in Bangladesh's horticultural sector.
At the core of the project is the development of a mid-tech demonstration greenhouse, supplemented by a training program in Bangladesh. The facility, to be established this year at the ACI R&D Centre in Mawna – approximately 60 km north of Dhaka – will serve both as a training as well as a demonstration centre showcasing sustainable food practices.
© Dutch Greenhouse Delta
A strong public-private partnership
This collaboration brings together expertise from leading Dutch and Bangladeshi organisations – a close collaboration between both nations. From the Netherlands, the consortium includes AgrowSer VDH Foliekassen BV, Hoogendoorn Growth Management BV, Bayer | De Ruiter Seeds BV, Koppert Biological Systems BV, Lentiz, and Dutch Greenhouse Delta (DGD), who also serves as the project coordinator. Their Bangladeshi counterparts in this initiative are Advanced Chemical Industries (ACI) and Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU), the latter acting as the local knowledge partner.
The project receives funding and strategic support from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Dhaka.
A symbolic start with global commitment
The project was officially introduced in Bangladesh during a kickoff session at the BIDA Investment Summit on 10th April, in the presence of Dr. Mohammad Ullah Mian, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture (Bangladesh), H.E. Ambassador Andre Carstens, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh, Dr. F H Ansarey, President, ACI Agribusiness and Ms. Sara van Hoeve, Senior policy officer – Economic Affairs & Private Sector Development, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh.
Driving impactful entrepreneurship in emerging markets
The Impact Cluster is part of the Dutch government's multi-year sectoral approach known as the combi-track, which supports impactful entrepreneurship in emerging markets. Through the Impact Clusters subsidy programme, tangible projects are developed to foster sustainable private sector development.
Bangladesh, with its fertile delta and a growing demand for food, faces pressing challenges such as urbanisation, climate change, and food security. The Impact Cluster responds to these by focusing on protected horticulture, aiming to strengthen food systems, reduce waste, and enhance export potential.
The demonstration greenhouse is expected to be completed later this year, with training and knowledge exchange activities commencing shortly thereafter.
For more information:
Dutch Greenhouse Delta
info@dutchgreenhousedelta.com
www.dutchgreenhousedelta.com