Business challenge of the top horticulture sector network
Are you interested in food and environment? Do you want to get involved in one of the most important sectors of the Netherlands Then join the business challenge of the The Fresh Produce Centre (in Dutch: GroentenFruit Huis) in cooperation with the Greenport Hub. The challenge is an initiative of the "Top Sector Horticulture Network". The award ceremony will be on 3 April during the yearly network event of this sector. So it's your chance to meet all important players in this field! The business challenge will take place on 27 March in Zoetermeer. There will be a compensation fee for students. Teams consists out of 4 students.
The assignment is of the "The Fresh Produce Centre". This is the trade organisation for the Dutch fruit and vegetable sector, unifying its voice and furthering its cause by, amongst others, organizing activities focussed on food safety. Our sector has earned its positive reputation when it comes to food safety, and is in the position to communicate to consumers where their food comes from, and guarantees its safety. This responsibility is shared within the sector as a whole. The Fresh Produce Centre proactively monitors the chain for risks. The organisation represents among others the following companies: The Greenery, Nature's Pride, DOOR Partners, Fruit Masters and Veiling Zon.
The Greenport hub is one of the knowledge and innovation hubs of LDE Centre for Sustainability. The hub aims to close the gap between universities and the horticulture sector. In this hub, we develop research programmes for students together with companies from the horticulture sector. Through this hub we also organise events like this challenge. Read more about the Greenport Hub here.
The challenge
In order to satisfy the needs of consumers worldwide, the sector has to produce a high volume of food with the highest quality and with the lowest possible environmental burden and impact. In order to achieve this, the sector needs to deploy, within the legislative framework, chemical and biological crop protection to secure food production.
The specific challenge to be addressed is: How to define and measure environmental impact related to the use of crop protection agents to secure sustainable food supply from producer to consumer?
In this respect solutions are sought on sub questions as: what is the best methodology to establish and consequently measure environmental stress? The current measurement system dates back some 25 years, it is time for a revision, but how? The sector wants to be competitive, produce food for all and simultaneously show its commitment to preserve the planet for future generations. How can we develop and deploy a concerted action, with all stakeholders in the supply chain from producer to consumer?
You can apply either with a team (4 people) or individually (you will be placed in a team by us).
Date & location:
The challenge will be held on 27 March from 09:00 - 17:00 at The Fresh Produce Centre | Location: Louis Pasteurlaan 6 - 2719 EE Zoetermeer
The award ceremony is on 3 April during the big network event | Location NBC Congrescentrum - Blokhoeve 1, 3438 LC Nieuwegein
More about the network event: http://topsectortu.nl/nl/3-april-tki-tu-netwerkevent-nieuwegein
Solution Deliverables
Create an initiative to reach a readiness-level for the sector as a whole to embark, with other stakeholders, on a major overhaul of the current status quo and system with respect to environmental stress aligned with the economic position of the sector.
Solution Essentials
Given the depth and width of the challenge, we would expect to see a solution (or solutions) that takes into account scientific, sustainable, technological, societal, economical and legislative aspects where possible and appropriate.
Application
Interested? Send a short motivation letter and CV before 21st of March 12:00 to Fenna Plaisier f.c.plaisier@cml.leidenuniv.nl