IMPORTANT FACTORS Population growth Water management Land scarcity Global warming Labour Efficiency Energy

Industrial Countries

Emerging markets

Popu

latio

n in

Bill

ion

FOOD DEMAND Since second half of the 20th century the global

food production doubled The grains demand is projected to be doubled

again from 2000 to 2050

WATER SHORTAGE

70% of 0,5% used for agriculture irrigation

LIMITED FERTILE LAND

GLOBAL WARMING

IN2050

SUMMARY

WHY PROTECTED CULTIVATION

A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION

Production per hectare Water consumptionLtr for each kilogram

30 to 50 tons 400 to 500 ltr

500 to 800 tons 40 to 50 ltr

CASE STUDY

HEALTHY ORGANIC FOOD

Holland is…..

No 2 Agricultural exporter in the world

No 2 exporter of tomatoes

in the world

FACT SHEET THE NETHERLANDSGeneral Small country (1/3 of Cambodia 41.528 km²) Moderate climate 16.4 million people

Economy An open market economy with an international orientation High level financial and professional services Transit sector that plays a key role on an international level

THE NETHERLANDS FACTSHEET In 2009 Dutch horticulture responsible for 39% of the agricultural

production = 7,0 billion Euros.

Furthermore in 2009: The export = 14,5 billion Euros The import = 7,9 billion Euros Total employment = 745.000 Contribution to the surplus of Dutch trade balance

Horticulture is important for the Dutch economy!!

HOLLAND IS FACING CHALLENGES

Arbeidskostenontwikkeling (€/uur)

€ -

€ 5.00

€ 10.00

€ 15.00

€ 20.00

€ 25.00

€ 30.00

1986 2006

Arbeidskosten (€/uur)

Linear (Arbeidskosten(€/uur))

Opbrengstprijs €/kg afgelopen 20 jaar

€ -

€ 0.50

€ 1.00

€ 1.50

€ 2.00

€ 2.50

1984-1985 2005-2006Jaar

Pri

js/k

g (

st)

Vleestomaat (€/kg)

Rode Paprika (€/kg)

Vleestomaat (€/kg)

Rode Paprika (€/kg)

Linear (Rode Paprika(€/kg))Linear (Vleestomaat (€/kg))

Linear (Rode Paprika(€/kg))Linear (Vleestomaat (€/kg))

NEGATIVE FACTORSLABOR PRICES PRICES & PROFIT

NEGATIVE FACTORS High labor costs Increasing energy prices Lack of skilled personnel Margins under pressure Just on demand delivery Land scarcity Etc…

SCALING UP EFFECTIVELY HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE UP TO 30HA OF PRODUCTION PER

LOCATION COMPANIES MERGE, ARE TAKEN OVER

OR EXPAND SHAKE OUT OF SMALL COMPANIES

2004

2004 - 2010

2004 - 2010

HOW THE DUTCH ARE COPING WITH ALL THESE CHALLENGES？

ANSWER： INNOVATIONS

BENEFITS OF INNOVATIONS Higher productions Better water and energy management Quality & food safety Less pesticide -> biological control Less human error -> more profit Sustainable -> financial & environmental Etc…

BETTER HYGIENE & CONTROL

BETTER GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT

WATER SAVINGS

MORE PRODUCTIONS PER M2

SIMILAR CHALLENGES WORLD WIDE Growing demand of better vegetables More consumers, less producers Decreasing supply of labor and increasing labor cost Land and energy supplies are under pressure Just on time delivery Food safety & regulations Etc..

CHALLENGES WORLD WIDE Width spectrum of products needed Food safety: certification & regulation Huge distances, lack of distribution Centre's Increasing costs of labor and energy prices Relatively Low level of technology Etc..

HOW CAN THE YOU DEAL WITH ALL THESE CHALLENGES？

ANSWER: INNOVATIONS Learn from the mistakes from the Dutch! Scale up effectively and efficient Inside out design Mechanisation & automation in order to decrease labor costs Energy, water & climate management Training, consultancy and education But in all cases: Adapted to local conditions

EXPENSIVE? AFFORDABLE?

LETTUCE GUTTER SYSTEM

PROPOSAL 1 (1 ha)

GROWING AREA

YOUNG PLANT AREA

PRODUCTION CALCULATIONSBASICS  Germination Temp 16°-18° CGrowing Temp 18°-24° CPots round/square in mm 50Distance between plants in mm 200Working day's 6Hours per day 9Total greenhouse area in m2 10.360Summer weeks 30Growing cycle in weeks summer 3Winter weeks 22Growing cycle in weeks winter 4

PRODUCTION CALCULATIONSGUTTER SYSTEM PRODUCTIONS  Gutter length in mm 8.870 Amount of plants per gutter 43 Amount of plants per m2 VariableAmount of gutters per row 600 Amount of rows available for growing 11 Net growing area in m2 10.360 Total plants in growing area 283.800 Production per year average (summer & winter) 4.398.900 Dropout in % 5%Production results after dropout 4.178.955 Production results in Kg 940.265

PRODUCTION CALCULATIONSProduction per week summer 94.600

Production per day summer 15.767

Amount of guters to harvest per day summer 367

Amount of gutters per hour summer 41

Amount of lettuce per line per week 8.600

Production per week winter 70.950

Production per day winter 11.825

Amount of gutters harvest per day winter 275

Amount of gutters per hour winter 31

Yield per year/m2 425

WORKING PRINCIPLESEEDING & GERMINATION The production of the lettuce will first start with the production of the young plants itself. Type of growing medium is not chosen yet, but most likely it will the choice will be between Rockwool plugs or Sublime foam blocks from Bas van Buuren for example. The size of these blocks can be determined in a later stage, but most likely the dimensions of these blocks are 40x40mm or even 50x50mm. The seeder is are able to handle different kind of seeds. Most likely tray’s will be filled with 54 plant each. After the tray’s have been seeded, the trays must be placed by hand onto a Danish trolley for example for transportation towards the germination room. The germination room is a separate room, most likely created in the service area, which is not located in the production area for now.

WORKING PRINCIPLESEEDING & GERMINATION After a couple of days, the seeds are germinated and the trays with the small rooted plants should be placed on so-called ‘planting tables’. These planting tables are made out of ‘rolling conveyors’, which are mounted on a concrete base. By adding more tray’s into one line, the oldest tray’s will be pushed forward automatically towards the end of this planting line.

WORKING PRINCIPLETRANSPLANTING & GROWING AREA After app 2 weeks, the young plants are big enough and ready to be transplanted into a clean empty gutter. Between the planting tables and the gutter system a small ‘working space’ is created for workers to transplant the young plants into the gutters. By pushing a button, the system will provide the worker 6 empty clean gutters at the same time (on one spot only for now). The gutters will be pushed on a manual roller conveyor system, which is mounted underneath the gutter system along all 11 stations. The worker needs to transport the gutters towards the right section before he or she can start transplanting. The gutters must be placed by hand into the right section (1-11). The gutter has a net. Length of app. 8.900mm and can carry 43 plants on a row. For lettuce the CTC distance on the gutter is now set to 200mm. Once the gutters are filled with young plants, the worker can push another button to activate the first section in that particular line, in order to move the gutters away. So each section has his own push button to activate that first section.

WORKING PRINCIPLESPACING OF LETTUCE All movements inside the tracks are automatically via a pull unit mechanism driven by 3 hydraulic cylinders per track. The gutters are moved towards the end of the system (packing line) simultaneously, increasing the distance between the gutters by the need of space that the plants require. At this moment we created the following spacing’s according to the following sheet:

  SECTION AMOUNT SPACING

  Section 1 102 86,4

  Section 2 66 100,8

  Section 3 66 115,2

  Section 4 66 129,6

  Section 5 66 144

  SECTION AMOUNT SPACING

  Section 6 66 158,4

  Section 7 66 172,8

  Section 8 66 187,2

  Section 9 66 201,6  Section 10 66 216

  Section 11 66 230,4

WORKING PRINCIPLEIRRIGATION

In the irrigation system the water is dosed to the gutters from pressure compensated drip emitters with app 0,7 litre/min/gutter. Water flows from the water return gutters towards the circulation water tanks that are mounted underneath this system. From the tanks the water is pumped to the fully automatic filtration system. Cleaning of the filtration system is done with fresh water. So each gutter has its own water dripper. The drippers are assembled in the steel coated profile of the gutter by ‘grommets’.

WORKING PRINCIPLEHARVESTING

Harvesting takes place at the end of each line. In total there are 11 positions where workers can harvest the gutters. By pushing on a button, one section can be activated individually. The gutter will be pushed away towards the end of the line, where the packing table is ocated. We suggest working with 2 workers at one line at the same time. Each worker has his own working table. The working tables can be transported along the complete line and can cover all stations if necessary. On the working table, the worker can clean the lettuce for packing. The salads can be packed and placed into an empty crate or box for example. The crates can be stored onto a roller conveyor system, which is mounted along the gable of the greenhouse. For the moment 2 manual roller conveyors will be supplied: one to transport empty boxes towards the working locations and 1 line for full boxes to return to the main packing area. After harvesting, empty gutters should be placed onto a manual roller conveyor system, which is located underneath the packing lines.

WORKING PRINCIPLEHARVESTING & WASHING

This roller conveyor is connected to all packing positions. Except near the washer, the gutters on the roller conveyors need to be moved my hand. A washer cabinet will be located underneath the system and consists of a high pressure pump unit and a spray cabinet of app 40 x 70cm. The gutters will be brushed and cleaned by water via high-pressure nozzles. Wastewater will be collected and will be connected to a pipe that drains the water out.

YOUNG PLANTS BEING TRANSPLANTED

OVERHEAD IRRIGATION AND SPRAYING

3D VIEW GUTTER SYSTEM

SPACING OF GUTTERS

SPACING GUTTERS 2

SUPPORT SYSTEM BY TRELLIS 1-11

SUPPORT SYSTEM EMPTY GUTTERS

FINAL PRODUCT

PROPOSAL 2 ‘FUTURE IDEAS’

4 PHASES 12 HA TOTAL

LETTUCE GUTTER SYSTEM PHASE 1 TO 4

PHASE 1

PHASE 2PHASE 3

PHASE 4

WO

RK

ING

A

RE

A GROWING AREA

SE

CO

ND

LAY

ER

LETTUCE GUTTER SYSTEM PHASE 1

WORKING AREA

SECOND LAYER YOUNG PLANT PRODUCE

NURSERYThe production of the lettuce starts with the production of the young plants. In the plant nursery located at the second floor, you will be able to make your own young plants. Seeding and germination takes place at or around position A. After a certain period of time the plants will be moved out of the germination room towards positions B where the plants in tray will be placed by hand in to an empty clean container. A full container can be moved by hand towards a lift, positioned at C. The lift transports the container with young plant material towards the second breeding floor. From the lift the containers will move automatically into one of the lanes available. Probably you will rotate them in loop D. After a certain growing period the young plants need to be spaced. In order to space the plants, the containers will travel via the lift at C, towards position E where spacing is taking place. After spacing the young plants will move upstairs for a certain period of time (F and G). Once the young plants are big enough and ready to be transplanted the containers should be transported towards position H. At position H the young plants will be transplanted into a clean empty gutter.

WORKING PRINCIPLE

GUTTER SYSTEMTransplanting the young plants into the gutters is done per 6 gutters. There is a buffer of gutters created in order to keep on transplanting without stopping. 12 gutters will move automatically towards the end of the track where the transport robot (I) will pick up 12 gutters at the same time. This robot will move automatically along the side gable of the greenhouse in path J. The gutters will grow towards the harvesting side (K). The movements of the gutters along the 17 bay’s are automatically by an engine driven roller conveyor system. All movements inside the track are automatically via a pull unit mechanism driven by hydraulic cylinders. The gutters are moved towards the packing end simultaneously, increasing the distance between the gutters by the need of space which the plant requires. At this moment we created 10 different spacing’s, but this can be adjusted according to your requirements

WORKING PRINCIPLE

WORKING PRINCIPLEOnce the gutters arrive at position K, the gutters will move automatically towards the working area where the gutter will be harvested. IRRIGATION In the irrigation system the water is dosed to the gutters from pressure compensated drip emitters. Water flows from the water return gutters to the circulation water tank. From the tanks the water is pumped to the fully automatic filtration system (not supplied by Hawe). Cleaning of the filtration system is done with fresh water. So each gutter has its own water dripper. The drippers are assembled in the aluminium profile of the gutter by ‘grommets’.

WORKING PRINCIPLEHARVESTINGHarvesting takes place in a central working/packing area. The commands to harvest gutters should be given into the PLC (touchscreen panel) or on a PC (SDF). The system will release one or multiple gutters from one specific bay and it will travel via an engine driven roller conveyor line towards the working area. The gutters will be shifted a side in order to line them up into one of the 3 packing lines. Along these 3 lines, workers pick up the lettuce and drop them onto an engine driven transport belt, which goes into a flow packing line. The flow packing line will seal the lettuce according to your requirements (need to be discussed in detail). The empty gutters will travel through a washer cabinet which is installed in the same line as the packing stations

WORKING PRINCIPLEWASHINGThe washer cabinet consists of a high pressure pump unit and a spray cabinet of app 40 x 70cm. The gutters will be brushed and cleaned by water via high-pressure nozzles. Wastewater will be collected and will be connected to a pipe that drains the water out. Once the gutters have been cleaned, the gutters will be side shifted, buffered and transported towards the growing area again. In the mean time the gutters will travel lower and lower in order to be moved underneath the system back to the working area where the process starts over from the beginning.

PRODUCTION CALCULATIONSBASICS  Germination Temp 16°-18° CGrowing Temp 18°-24° CPots round/square in mm 50Distance between plants in mm 200Working day's 6Hours per day 9Total greenhouse area in m2 30.240Summer weeks 30Growing cycle in weeks sumer 3Winter weeks 22Growing cycle in weeks winter 4

PRODUCTION CALCULATIONSGUTTER SYSTEM PRODUCTIONS  Gutter length in mm 11.770 Amount of plants per gutter 57 Amount of plants per m2 VariableAmount of gutters per row 720 Amount of rows available for growing 17 Netto growing area in m2 25.704 Total plants in growing area 697.680 Production per year average (summer & winter) 10.814.040 Dropout in % 5%Production results after dropout 10.273.338 Production results in Kg 2.311.501

PRODUCTION CALCULATIONSProduction per week summer 232.560

Production per day summer 38.760

Amount of gutters to harvest per day summer 680

Amount of gutters per hour summer 76

Amount of lettuce per line per week 13.680

Production per week winter 174.420

Prodcution per day winter 29.070

Amount of gutters harvest per day winter 510

Amount of gutters per hour winter 57

Yield per year/m2 421

WATER STORAGE TANKS

PUMP STATIONS

FERTILZER UNITS

FERTILIZER UNTIS

FILTRATION

DESINFECTION

FULL PACKAGE