Statistics speak volumes

• In sub-Saharan Africa, the expenses on fuel for diesel generators is higher than on the entire power grid.
• Diesel generators are consuming up to US $50 BN worth of diesel and gasoline annually.
• 17 countries in sub-Saharan Africa have a higher diesel-generated power capacity than grid-connected power capacity.
• In sub-Saharan Africa, generators are responsible for 15% of all nitrogen oxide emissions.
• Generator’s emissions of PM2.5, a harmful microscopic particle, equals 35% of emissions from all motor vehicles in Nigeria.

The partnership RenewableTechNigeria
To reduce diesel consumption in Nigeria, the solar consortium RenewableTechNigeria focuses on facilitating, demonstrating, and supporting the roll-out of solar hybrid systems, specifically in the B2B environment. The overall goal is to replace the numerous diesel generators, that currently power the economy, and foster the development and implementation of renewable energy products and services in Nigeria.

Formation
The RenewableTechNigeria partnership originates from the combined ambition of the Dutch/Nigerian private sector and the Dutch Government. The project will provide bilateral aid and facilitate the aid-to-trade transition by actively supporting cooperation between Dutch & Nigerian companies and knowledge institutes, enabling them to jointly engage in the Nigerian market, whilst simultaneously stimulating the development of the renewable energy sector in Nigeria. RenewableTechNigeria is a public-private partnership of leading companies active in various parts of the solar sector.

Consortium partners
The consortium will consist of a partnership between non-competing private Dutch and Nigerian players focused on solar applications, with complementary skills, expertise, and knowledge. The partnership is coordinated by Larive and Naijalink and includes seven other companies and knowledge institutes being Dawsongroup, Independent Energy BV, Rubitec Nigeria Limited, Sustainable Electrical Energy Centre of Expertise, SolarCentric Technologies, SOSAI Renewable Energies Company, and Zenon Energy. The initiative is co-funded by the Netherlands and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency RVO.

By bundling expertise, knowledge, experiences, products and services, the consortium aims to boost the adoption of solar hybrid solutions in the Nigerian market. Through training programs, a demonstration and research towards improved financing opportunities, the consortium wants to ensure long-term cooperation. By implementing high-quality systems combined with training programs on installation, maintenance and (after) sales services, the consortium will contribute to the transfer of technical skills, scaling of hybrid solar applications in Nigeria, and reduced use of diesel generators within the agri-food industry. As RenewableTechNigeria will be a flagship project under the new Dutch governmental BHOS strategy, scaling up will include the demonstration of solar applications in health, finance, food processing and horticulture.

“What we are going to do is take a combination of Nigerian and Dutch businesses and showcase, in reality for ongoing businesses, that the business case for solar, the momentum is now.” Wouter van Vliet, Director Larive International

Larive Group consortium experience
Larive International, together with the Larive Group have extensive expertise in developing and implementing multi-annual public-private partnerships, including cooperations in aquaculture (Kenya, Tanzania, Vietnam, Rwanda, Uganda), horticulture (India, Myanmar), poultry (Indonesia, Myanmar, Bangladesh) and the renewable energy sector (Rwanda). Based on this experience and following the 2021 opportunities identified in the study, Larive International has been requested by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to develop this cluster of Dutch & Nigerian companies and support them with business development in Nigeria. RenewableTechNigeria kicked off at the Netherlands Nigeria Clean Tech event in Lagos on 2 November and will run for three years up to the end of October 2025.

Watch the TVC Nigeria News report on the event here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9WTM84vWJw

For any questions about RenewableTechNigeria, please contact Amber van Spronsen at amber.van.spronsen@larive.com or connect with Thessa Bagu and Wouter van Vliet.

• Region: East-Africa
• Focus: Aquaculture
• Start: 2022
• Involving 5 project partners

With a focus on capacity-building across the aquaculture value chain, the Samaki Poa consortium will improve food security and provide practical and applicable expertise to empower the aquaculture sector in East Africa. The project ‘awesome fish’, or in Kiswahili ‘Samaki Poa’, aims to empower the aquaculture sector in East Africa. Samaki Poa functions as an aquaculture ecosystem facilitator, driving capacity building throughout the value chain. The focus countries of the project are Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. The project entails an initiative of a consortium of Dutch, Nordic, Kenyan, and Ugandan companies that will tackle challenges of the aquaculture sector and contribute to local private sector development in East Africa.

Aquaculture in East Africa offers great potential to support local private sector development, to improve access to jobs and income-generating activities, stimulate value chain investments and improve food security. Climatic conditions (e.g. temperature and availability of water sources) make East Africa highly suitable for aquaculture. Furthermore, the region is undergoing an economic and demographic transformation. Economic expansion is partly driven by rapid population growth, urbanization and an increase in incomes. These factors have been driving up total fish demand, fish prices and the total imports of fish into these countries. By collaboratively tackling the challenges of the aquaculture sector, Samaki Poa contributes to improving the technical performance and the financial position of fish breeders/farmers in East Africa, thereby increasing productivity and sustainability.

The primary objective of this project is to develop, implement and launch a localized e-learning platform for aquaculture in East Africa, covering the key fish farming topics combined with a practical training program in the Lake Victoria region. Boosting the aquaculture sector and increasing access to knowledge and education in this region, will result in local private sector development, increased local fish production, increased value chain investments, improved access to sustainable jobs, increased access to skilled labour, and decreased fish import dependency.

“Aquaculture has the potential to meet the growing demand for protein in East Africa while supporting food security and income generation. However, current local production is hampered by the lack of widely available proper practical training and limited knowledge.” – Wouter van Vliet, director at Larive International

This project brings together the expertise and strengths of five professional partners: BluePlanet, Skretting, Lake Harvest, Larive International and Lattice Aqua, who together improve food security, technical know-how and digital innovation in the aquaculture sector in East Africa. They focus together on industry-wide education of skilled labour by creating accessible training programs to educate 10,000 people, help create 2,000 jobs throughout the value chain, and boost regional export by 4,000 tons of fish and 10,000 tons of feed. So, this project contributes to the East African economy by creating local employment, reducing poverty and improving food security.

With the unique combination of a digital platform supplemented with on-site vocational training programs, the partnership practically educates (future) fish farmers with localized know-how and brings the much-needed expertise to the mobile device of thousands of users, combined with practical training. The e-curriculum allows for safe (Covid-proof) and asynchronous learning, and it has the ability to also reach women and youth. Making the combined knowledge available to all (aspiring) fish farmers in East Africa will help unleash the full potential of aquaculture fish production for the regional market.

The project runs from 2022 to 2026 and is an intercontinental cooperation between five stakeholders from East Africa and Europe. Samaki Poa is funded by NORAD granting NOK 20 MN (approximately € 2 MN) to improve the knowledge gap and productivity in the sector and value chain.

Involved project partners:

• Blue Planet AS is a non-profit network company and has developed Blue Planet Academy, which is an e-learning system for the training of operators in the aquaculture business.
• Lake Harvest is a leading aquaculture producer with operations throughout six African countries, including Source of the Nile, a professional cage farm in Jinja, Uganda.
• Larive International BV is a business development advisory firm, developing and implementing market entry and growth strategies in emerging markets. Larive is the Project Manager of the Samaki Poa project.
• Lattice Aquaculture Limited is a Kenyan-based aquaculture organisation, providing vocational training and aquaculture support activities covering the East Africa region.
• Skretting is a leading animal nutrition company offering solutions for aquaculture and livestock.

If you have any questions regarding the project Samaki Poa, contact Niels Kreijger at niels.kreijger@larive.com

• Region:Bangladesh
• Focus:Poultry
• Start: 2021
• Involving 9 project partners

PoultryTechBangladesh

On 1 April 2021, Dutch and Bangladeshi partners officially launched PoultryTechBangladesh, a public-private partnership of leading companies active in various parts of the poultry value chain. The partnership aims to strengthen business relations between stakeholders in the Dutch and Bangladeshi poultry value chain, resulting in increased trade, investment and cooperation, and to contribute to a more competitive and sustainable poultry sector in Bangladesh.

The Bangladeshi poultry sector: Turning challenges into opportunities
With 167 MN inhabitants and an average annual GDP growth rate of >8% during the past decade, Bangladesh has been one the fastest-growing economies in the world. Despite this rapid growth, the country has not yet realized its full potential to serve domestic markets effectively and remains vulnerable to price volatility. The Bangladeshi government has the ambition to address these challenges by increasing domestic sustainable food production, combating malnutrition and boosting agro-food exports.

Matthias Brienen, Director of Larive International and coordinator of the consortium: “A growing group of middle-class Bangladeshi consumers, largely living in urban areas such as Dhaka and Chittagong, is increasing consciousness about food quality and safety and are changing their preference towards more protein-rich and value-added products, which is increasing demand for poultry meat and eggs. PoultryTechBangladesh will support this development by introducing improved (more knowledge-intensive) production and processing systems and increasing the knowledge level of stakeholders in the poultry sector”.

In line with the increasing purchasing power and growth of its population, per capita consumption of poultry meat and eggs in Bangladesh is expected to increase 34% and 49% respectively in the five coming years. Consequently, enormous capacity expansion in domestic poultry production and slaughtering and (further) processing activities will be required.

The Netherlands is internationally renowned for the responsible production of poultry products, innovation and creating added value. Dutch policies and processes regarding food quality, product safety and hygiene are considered the highest international standards. Dutch poultry sector players could add significant value in developing a more competitive and responsible poultry sector in Bangladesh, while simultaneously turning current challenges into business opportunities for Dutch companies.

PoultryTechBangladesh
PoultryTechBangladesh has been developed and is coordinated by Larive International and LightCastle Partners and includes nine other companies and knowledge institutes being Aeres Training Centre International, Aftab Bahumukhi Farms, Hendrix Genetics, Kazi Farms, Marel Poultry, Mavitec, Nutreco, Royal Pas Reform and Van Aarsen. The initiative is co-funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The partnership is committed to working together in strengthening the Bangladeshi poultry sector. Collaborative efforts between the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh, and leading Dutch and Bangladeshi parties, the consortium aims to increase productivity, biosecurity, knowledge levels, and to share values about responsible business practices. Simultaneously, it seeks to trigger and support entrepreneurship and stimulate Dutch–Bangladeshi trade.

Core activities of the partnership include conducting studies, demonstrating best practices, and transferring know-how via providing training programs and implementation of capacity building activities. The partnership will establish a demonstration hatchery allowing to offer better quality Day-Old-Chicks, multiple model farms (breeders, broiler & layers) and a demonstration slaughterhouse and (further) processing facility.

H.E. Harry Verweij, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Bangladesh: “After 50 years, the Netherlands is shifting its policy in Bangladesh from primarily development cooperation towards economic cooperation. During this transition phase, we encourage Dutch companies to seek opportunities and help strengthen value chains in Bangladesh, in sectors where they have added value. I feel that public-private partnerships are excellent modes of cooperation, and I am excited about PoultryTechBangladesh. I am confident that the involved parties will contribute to a more sustainable, inclusive and responsible poultry sector in Bangladesh. Building a competitive sector through good business relations now will pave the way for cooperation in the years to come”.

Partners

The following innovative Dutch and Bangladeshi companies are part of PoultryTechBangladesh,  each offering complementary solutions and covering essential steps of the poultry value chain:

• Aeres Training Centre International
• Aftab Bahumukhi Farms
• HATO Agricultural Lighting
• Hendrix Genetics
• Kazi Farms
• Marel Poultry
• Mavitec
• Nutreco
• Royal Pas Reform
• Van Aarsen

For any questions, please contact Iris Boom at iris.boom@larive.com.

Developments in Kenya’s feed sector

On 1 December 2019, the first impact cluster in Kenya has been formally approved by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). The livestock sector in Kenya, as well as the East Africa region as a whole, is developing at a fast pace. The demand for protein-based food is increasing for various reaons, including population growth and changing consumption patterns. Whereas the increase in demand gives rise to a window of opportunities for growth, the development of the livestock sector is constrained by the slower development of the animal feed sector.

Various issues are causing the feed sector to be unable to keep up with the pace of the livestock sector. These include a lack of raw materials, limited availability of new feed protein sources, non-optimal transport, storage, production and application practices, as well as the lack of feed quality testing facilities. These obstacles do not only apply to the feed production side, but also to farmers that utilize feed. Farmers are often not aware of the benefits of using high-quality feed and do not realize the fact that high-quality feed is, in the long run, cheaper than mixing their own feed. Moreover, they are insufficiently aware of the danger of poor storage and feeding practices.

“Both feed producers as well as feed users could increase their performance by applying world’s best feed practices” Iris Boom, Larive

The impact cluster

The FeedTechKenya impact cluster comprises of a consortium of leading Dutch and Kenyan parties active in various areas of the feed value chain. A wide variety of parties enables the creation of integrated solutions to transfer best feed production and feeding practices to the Kenyan Feed sector. The consortium includes Aeres Training Centre International, Almex Extrusion Techniques, Ottevanger Milling Engineers, Unga Farm Care ltd, Insectipro and Nutreco Africa. Larive International and Lattice Consulting initiated and coordinated the partnership. The consortium will conduct studies, perform trials with insect-based feed, demonstrate best feed production and usage practices to feedmillers and farmers, and transfers knowledge and expertise. All with the aim to develop the Kenyan feed sector and boost production.

“ We identified the need for a feed-sector based project, and are very happy with the arrival of this first impact cluster in Kenya. The livestock and aquaculture sector contribute to over USD 3.1 billion to the Kenyan economy. It is important to facilitate the growth of such an important sector by tackling the issues in the feed sector”.  Ingrid Korving, Agricultural counsellor of the Netherlands Embassy in Kenya

Ottevanger Milling Engineers is a storage and feed milling specialist and will share global best practices and implement demonstration solutions.

Aeres training centre international is a training institute active in the green sector, from primary agriculture to engineering and styling & design, intensive farming to biodynamic agriculture.

Almex Extrusion Techniques is an extrusion specialist and takes part in the consortium to share best practices to cover the extrusion part of the feed sector in the cluster.

Nutreco is a Dutch producer of animal nutrition and fish feed products.

Unga group established the first high-quality fish feed production plant in Nairobi Kenya.

Insectipro Is a Black Soldier Fly producer in Kenya. The Black Soldier Flies will be used as an alternative protein source for feed.

Larive International will act as project leader and is responsible for coordination and communication.

Lattice Consulting is responsible for local project management.

• Region: India
• Focus: Horticulture
• Start: 2017
• Public-private partnership, involving 12 project partners

HortiTechIndia

The Netherlands is a global leader in greenhouse cultivation and protected cropping. The consortium “HortiTechIndia” consists of highly innovative Dutch companies and knowledge institutes operating in the horticulture sector. Together, we have the aim to collaborate with Indian partners to upgrade the quality of the Indian horticulture sector and thereby enhance productivity and profitability. This partnership will do so along the entire horticulture chain, from seeds to the end consumer, giving special attention to mid-tech solutions.

More with less; better inputs:

The Dutch horticultural sector makes a big contribution to produce more with less through robust starting materials and research into resistant plant varieties and sustainable cultivation methods. One of a grower’s most critical management decisions is the selection of inputs. The cost of seeds usually is less than 5% of total production costs. Yet seeds can affect the yield potential of a crop more than any other input factor.

Knowledge transfer:

Besides technology, knowledge and management skills are key to successful operation and implementation of greenhouse technology. As the leading exporter of food products, the Netherlands has a number of educational institutes that offer education and training modules in the field of horticulture and supply chain management.

Vision and mission:

By combining better inputs, technology and knowledge transfer, our vision is to increase the yield of vegetable crops per square meter and growers income as a consequence; improve product quality and safety in order to increase the domestic sales and export of Indian vegetables; and transfer (mid-tech) technology and knowledge to increase competitiveness.

The mission of HortiTechIndia is to position the Netherlands as the leading country in the field of horticulture in India, as such to upgrade the current horticulture sector to a higher level and to gain market access.

Webinar series: From Plant to Plate

Are you a Horticulture enthusiast eager to learn more about topics related to food safety? During the HortiTechIndia webinars we held Indian and Dutch experts will tell you more about the food safety challenges, opportunities and solutions covering the entire horticulture supply chain.You can find all recordings here and on youtube.

• Webinar I – Food Safety from Harvest to Plate
  Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT0KltHIeq8
• Webinar II – Food Safety and High-Tech Production
  Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXGD1SAyOZc
• Webinar III – Food Safety and Plant Management within the supply chain
  Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBDaGQq9nt4

Companies

The consortium initiated and coordinated by Larive contains the following sector experts jointly improving yield, product quality and safety of Indian fruit & vegetables:

Rijk Zwaan is active worldwide as a vegetable breeding company that focuses on the development of high-quality vegetable seeds for professional growers.

Koppert Biological Systems is the international market leader in the field of biological crop protection and natural pollination.

Ludvig Svensson provides innovative climate screen solutions that control humidity, temperature and UV radiation according to requirements, creating excellent conditions for better and greater production in greenhouses.

Hoogendoorn Growth Management   develops and provides innovative solutions in climate control, energy management, water management and labor & harvest registration.

Hendic B.V. is a supplier of water storage systems used in agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, and industry.

Dutch Plantin produces innovative, sustainable and customer-oriented coco substrates for the professional horticulture sector.

VEK adviesgroep designs and supervises the construction of greenhouse projects worldwide. VEK also provides business plans including a detailed design of a greenhouse with an accurate estimation of the total investment, operational cost, yields, market prices and finance.

TwinsYeald has extensive knowledge and experience realising the most complex and large-scale horticultural projects worldwide and have a broad experience from the development of business plans till harvesting and tracking of products.

The Lentiz onderwijsgroep provides pre-vocational secondary education (VMBO), general secondary education (HAVO), pre-university education (VWO) and senior secondary vocational education (MBO). Over the past decades, Lentiz has gained international experience and knowledge in the fields of horticulture, floriculture, food(processing) and supply & cold chain management and has been active in India.

Van Hall Larenstein, University of Applied Sciences, is an international green knowledge institute that combines education, delivered by passionate experts, and applied research within amongst others food & dairy. In India VHL has a partnership with the Agriculture College of Baramati.

News

These Dutch articles describe the opportunities of Horticulture in India and the state of the sector in today’s world.

India lijkt rijp voor opschaling bedekte teelt

Veiligheid van groente en fruit in India