Articles
INSTITUTIONAL STRATEGIES FOR BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL GREENHOUSE HORTICULTURE SECTOR
Article number
621_4
Pages
37 – 44
Language
English
Abstract
This article describes the evolution of greenhouse horticulture in the Netherlands over the period 1950-2000. The description covers both a statistical review on areas, crop productivity and labour productivity as well as a qualitative analysis of the technical and institutional development.
The analysis reveals the successive institutional strategies applied in the Netherlands against the background of the technical and socio-economic circumstances.
The study was sponsored by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture for the mutual interest of both countries.
The interest for China is improvement of the efficiency of horticultural production and for the Netherlands improvement of the business opportunities for horticultural technology and expertise.
However the conclusions are also useful for other countries wanting to further develop their horticulture.
Starting from technical and institutional changes the period 1950-2000 was divided in four distinct periods, each representing specific phases in the development path of Dutch greenhouse horticulture:
The analysis reveals the successive institutional strategies applied in the Netherlands against the background of the technical and socio-economic circumstances.
The study was sponsored by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture for the mutual interest of both countries.
The interest for China is improvement of the efficiency of horticultural production and for the Netherlands improvement of the business opportunities for horticultural technology and expertise.
However the conclusions are also useful for other countries wanting to further develop their horticulture.
Starting from technical and institutional changes the period 1950-2000 was divided in four distinct periods, each representing specific phases in the development path of Dutch greenhouse horticulture:
- 1945-1965: reconstruction after World War II
- 1965-1980: mechanization; cutting labour costs
- 1980-1993: application of computer technology
- 1993-2000: transition to demand-driven economy
The technical, economic and social circumstances were quite different in these four periods.
Accordingly the knowledge system paid attention to different subjects and took different positions in the development process.
The subjects and positions concerned are further specified in the paper.
Finally a method is presented to position horticulture in other countries on the development path of greenhouse horticulture in the Netherlands.
Once the current position on the development path is known, the matching institutional strategies applied in the Netherlands may provide food for thought.
The main finding is, that governments should be selective in choosing technological spearheads and matching strategic partners.
Authors
J.S. Buurma
Keywords
, development, statistics, technology, knowledge, stakeholders
Online Articles (13)