International cooperation from Regions4Food gets off the ground after just six months

Through the Interreg Europe project 'Regions4Food' innovative agrofood professionals from 7 European regions share knowledge and experiences in the field of digitalization. Thanks to this project, entrepreneurs and knowledge institutions from Spain, France, Finland, Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria and the Netherlands (Limburg) can look into each other's ICT kitchens. The project has been running for six months and the first forms of cooperation have already begun. John van Helden of Yookr has been there from the beginning and gives Kiempunt Limburg an update now that he has just returned from a meeting with various parties in Bologna.

What do you notice now that you have been involved with Regions4Food for six months?

"The last 6 weeks the regions have shown each other their Best Practices and then you notice that there is a great variety of topics and also a lot of variation in the approach that is taken. That opens your eyes to new opportunities, it really broadens your view.
And I notice that everyone is open to collaboration. If we hear something that is interesting for companies in Limburg to join, then we make those contacts. This increases the chance that Limburg companies can sell their products or services abroad in the future. But of course we can only mediate if we know the companies. That is why I call on everyone with an interest to join the group Digitalization, Precision Agriculture, Big Data."

John van Helden of Yookr, enthusiastic participant in Regions4Food

Do you already see this collaboration emerging?

"Yes, it is happening very quickly. For example, Finnish entrepreneurs in Nantes have ordered weather stations that were developed on the campus there. Fontys University of Applied Sciences is now investigating the possibilities for cooperation with colleagues in Andalusia. And Hungary is very enthusiastic about cooperation with Limburg companies that pitched during Dutch Food Week."

The visit to the Emilia-Romagna region has just concluded.

What does it bring you?

"If I'm developing something here with Yookr, there's bound to be someone else working on it somewhere else. If we pool our knowledge, together we can build an even better product or service. Furthermore, over the past 20 years I have learned a lot about international trade and that is what I also enjoy doing. Learning from each other, getting to know other cultures, understanding each other's problems. Things that are important to me in my life and that I like to get up early for."

Which entrepreneurs should join?

"It is interesting for the whole sector, because it is about sharing knowledge about digitalization of the sector in the broadest sense. But I would say: go along to get and to bring. Do you have an open mindset, do you want to share knowledge and do you really want to help the sector move forward? Then sign up. There are many areas of interest: think of data platforms, partnerships between different sectors such as grower and logistics company, startup communities, robotization and mechanization, short chains, food safety, IT and IOT (Internet of Things ) solutions and not forgetting blockchain.

Want to know more?

Would you like to know more about Regions4Food, join the journey or join the group Digitization, Precision Agriculture and Big Data? Then this is your starting point.