200 visitors to event 1 year of LimburgAgrofood program

In its first year of existence, the LimburgAgrofood program of LIOF and the Province of Limburg has been able to connect over 350 unique companies with various events, projects and activities as well as with the online platform Kiempunt. <50 SMEs were offered support in developing and financing their innovation projects and business cases. In combination with co-financing by entrepreneurs, more than 3 million euros were invested.
LIOF organized an event for the occasion that was attended by some 200 entrepreneurs and partner organizations.

Hot topics: bio-circular, future farming and healthy food

Agrofood entrepreneurs saw the most opportunities last year in the themes of bio-circular, future farming and healthy food.
For example, Organic Horticulture Company BioVerbeek from Velden wanted to heat at least 90% of their greenhouse from the composting process of various biomass streams.
Light4Food from Horst sought support and funding for their future farming project: the development of a prototype for artificially lit cultivation systems (the breeding market) in horticulture.

Verify anniversary with innovators

Raymond Nolet of Mifood shared his innovations to help consumers get enough fruits and vegetables. This is because 95% of the Dutch population does not eat the 350 grams of fruit and vegetables that are required daily. With extensive research into preserving the bioactive substances, Mifood develops smoothies, for example.

Twan Claessens of Piglet Treatment Systems is developing a gun that allows pigs to be administered the exact right amount of antibiotics, and the associated administration is automatically tracked.

Marcel Dings of Brookberries knows how to give a continuous top taste to his strawberries all year round because the optimal light recipe was researched.

Strikingly, all panel participants agreed on the importance of big data and the importance of convenience and taste. If we want to entice consumers to make healthier food choices, convenience and taste are an essential combination.

Trendwatcher

Sander Duijvestein, trend watcher, made the visitors once again aware of the impact that technology has on our daily lives. The future is becoming increasingly difficult to predict as new technologies are adopted at lightning speed. He calls it Digital Darwinism: change or disappear. Specifically for the sector, he also sees a lot of potential in the field of big data, but also of VR/AR techniques.

Just the beginning

Frans Broeders, Sector Developer for Agrofood at LIOF and responsible for the Limburg-Agrofood program sees this first year as a good start: "Good ideas should not be left behind, but shared and nurtured so they can become reality. We bring knowledge, capital and network to support entrepreneurs. Six months ago, the Dutch Minister of Agriculture, Carola Schouten, presented her vision of 'circular agriculture'. In Limburg this appears to be not only a vision, but already concretely taking place through innovation projects in practice. We are going to help many more entrepreneurs to grow in the coming years".

Innovation makes sector future-proof

The LimburgAgrofood program is funded by the client Province of Limburg. Hubert Mackus, Provincial Executive member for Agriculture, Nature, Infra, Rail and Monuments: "From the Province of Limburg we want to support entrepreneurs who are treading new paths and are committed to innovation. We do this in various ways: through inspiration and knowledge sessions, but also financially. That is why the LimburgAgrofood program was started. This program has a so-called toolbox of subsidies, but also offers networking opportunities through Agrofood Network Limburg and the associated digital platform Kiempunt Limburg. This includes major partners such as the Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo, Maastricht University, Fontys, HAS University of Applied Sciences, Citaverde College, Rabobank, LLTB and LAJK. Through the LimburgAgrofood program, we respond to the wishes and needs of entrepreneurs and ensure that the sector is and remains future-proof."

View the video report of the event:

More information about the LimburgAgrofood program >

Sources: LIOF, Province of Limburg