Tomato grower Geurts opts for CO2 neutral growing

Eric and Marianne Geurts grow their flavorful vine tomatoes on an area of 35,000 m2 in Oirlo. The family business that was founded in 1967 initially produced various types of vegetables and flowers, but since 1980 has focused entirely on tomatoes. In conversation with Nieuwe Oogst, Eric Geurts explains how he continually makes efforts to keep the company up to date by investing in the areas of energy, water conservation, biological control and quality assurance.

CO2 neutral

As gas prices soared more than ten years ago, partly due to the rising energy tax, large-scale users such as greenhouse horticulturists are having a particularly hard time financially. In the winter months the costs were no longer in proportion to the revenues, recalls Geurts. "And five years later we received letters from the government; whether we could be off the gas by 2024."

The Geurts family decided to change course and look for an alternative to gas. Now, for the second year in a row, two biomass heaters are running on the farm. They supply heat that goes directly into the greenhouse and is used to generate electricity with a turbine. Whatever is left over is stored in a large buffer tank and used at a later time. "We can now grow tomatoes CO2-neutrally and we have enough power left over to feed into the grid," says the greenhouse farmer.

Although burning biomass has been in a negative light recently, mainly because of the supply of wood from all over the world, Geurts actually uses prunings from the neighborhood. "To run our stoves, no healthy trees are cut down," he says. This is pruning and thinning wood, for which no other suitable use is found. The wood is brought in directly from pruning operations.

Healthy crops

Geurts grows vine tomatoes of the varieties Gerdicia and Tomicia. In November, the tomato seed is sown at the plant breeder. The plant breeder raises the plant until it is about 40 cm tall, after which Geurts places the plants on rock wool mats in the greenhouse. When the first flowers start to bloom in the third week of January, bumblebees are released into the greenhouse for pollination.

"The biggest challenge is to keep your crops healthy," says the greenhouse farmer. Heat and low humidity play an important role in keeping the fungal pressure down. We also use natural enemies to control caterpillars and white flies in particular."

For the tomato grower and his permanent staff, early detection of pests and plant diseases is a priority. "Then you can control locally and that prevents a lot of problems. We use as few chemical pesticides as possible, but sometimes it's just necessary. That's why it's important that good resources remain available."

Environment

The environment is an important factor in the operation of the tomato farm. Geurts supplies through growers' association Fossa Eugenia and is PlanetProof-certified. Even in packaging, Geurts chooses a more sustainable option. The boxes are made of a lighter but stronger type of paper than regular boxes and have a significantly lower CO2 footprint.

But it's not always easy to meet all the environmental requirements. Although the entrepreneur likes to tell 'a positive story' and is 'proud of the family business', he likes to strike a critical note. Especially as an employer, the regulatory burden is constantly increasing and environmental investments are crying out for scale to get out of the costs. "We simply need a dime a kilo more in order to meet all the requirements and wishes of society and to retain enough income, also as a buffer for bad years. Now glasshouse growers are getting minimum prices and they are taking maximum risks: that is not a healthy situation."

Follow-up

In that respect Geurts doubts whether it is a good idea to transfer the business to his three daughters. Although all three are doing their bit and are very interested in horticulture, Geurts is uncertain. "Of course it's nice if they want to continue," he says. "But with all the laws and regulations, I sometimes wonder if they should even get into it."

Exactly know how the biomass stoves at Tomato Farm Geurts work? Then check out here. For more background on climate and energy in agri-food, read this background article.

Source: New Harvest