Le 28/01/2025
Dutch Technology Association Accelerates Handsfree, Future-Proof Food Production
The agricultural sector faces significant challenges: labour shortages, rising costs, limited resources and sustainability concerns. These massive, global problems require a collaborative solution.
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Dutch technology industry association FME has stepped up to address these challenges. Their innovation program, NXTGEN Hightech, is a dynamic ecosystem that develops solutions for the entire agriculture sector.
Building a hands-free agrifood sector | NXTGEN Hightech
“The NXTGEN program unites technology, practice and research,” said Suzanne Verboon, FME Program Manager, Agrifood. “By connecting parties both within and beyond the chain, we foster cross-pollination, leading to new insights and applications.”
In open-field agriculture, this translates into technological advancements such as autonomous machines, drones and data-driven systems that enhance efficiency and sustainability. Example use cases include:
- Apple Picking Robot: Autonomous robots reduce labour needs.
- Handsfree Autonomous Harvesting: Automated harvesting of open-field vegetables without human intervention
- Hollandse Data Line: An advanced data infrastructure for sharing and analyzing agricultural data
- E-Tractor: Electric tractors for emission-free agricultural activities
- Pixelfarming Robotics: Precision farming using autonomous robots reduces waste and increases efficiency
- Plasma4Agrifood: Applies plasma technology for sustainable crop protection and air purification
“Our program demonstrates how technological innovation can flourish through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and tangible projects,” said Verboon. “To future-proof the agricultural sector, it is essential that innovations benefit both farmers and society as a whole. When food is produced and processed more efficiently it increases food safety, sustainability and secures access to food.”
Connect with NXTGEN Hightech at World FIRA 2025
To learn more about opportunities and solutions offered by NXTGEN Hightech and other Dutch Ag-tech companies, visit the Netherlands Pavilion at World FIRA 2025.
- See how technology and collaboration accelerate innovation in open-field agriculture.
- Meet experts and partners contributing to the transition with knowledge and practical solutions.
- Engage with Dutch innovators and industry associations FME and Fedecom.
- Learn more about access to testing facilities, research findings and innovations tailored to challenges you may be facing.
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Read more about NXTGEN Hightech’s Projects