The horticultural & agricultural sector is facing a global challenge. The demand for food is growing, while the availability of agricultural land and water is decreasing. At the same time, we are confronted with the consequences of climate change, such as extreme weather conditions. All this makes it increasingly difficult to meet the food needs of the world's population in a sustainable way.
The key question
A key question in this debate is whether we should become more self-sufficient in the future or whether we should continue to import food. Both options have advantages and disadvantages.
Self-sufficient cultivation
Self-sufficient cultivation means that we produce all the food we need in our own country. This would have a number of advantages:
- Reduced import dependency: We are less dependent on other countries for our food supply. This makes us less vulnerable to fluctuations in the global market and geopolitical instability.
- More sustainable agriculture: By growing food locally, we can reduce transport kilometers and CO2 emissions. We can also apply agricultural methods that focus on conserving natural resources and promoting biodiversity.
- Shorter chain: The distance between farmer and consumer is reduced. This ensures greater transparency and traceability of food.
However, self-sufficient cultivation also has a number of disadvantages:
- Higher costs: Food production in our country is more expensive than in many other countries. This is partly due to the high labor costs and strict environmental regulations.
- Less diversity: It is not possible to grow all types of food in our country. We will always be dependent on imports for exotic products.
- Limited economies of scale: The agricultural sector is already relatively small. Self-sufficient cultivation can hinder further economies of scale, which can reduce efficiency.
Importing food
Importing food means that we buy food from other countries. This has a number of advantages:
- Lower costs: Food from other countries is often cheaper than food that is grown in our country. This is partly due to the lower labor costs and less strict environmental regulations.
- Greater diversity: We have access to a much wider range of food products than if we were to grow everything ourselves.
- Economies of scale: Importing makes it possible to benefit from economies of scale in food production.
However, importing food also has a number of disadvantages:
- Increased import dependency: We are more dependent on other countries for our food supply. This makes us vulnerable to fluctuations in the global market and geopolitical instability.
- Less sustainable agriculture: Food production in other countries is often less sustainable than in our country. This can lead to environmental externalities, such as deforestation and water pollution.
- Longer chain: The distance between farmer and consumer is increased. This can lead to less transparency and traceability of food.
The question of whether we should become more self-sufficient in the future or whether we should continue to import food is complex. There is no easy answer. The best choice depends on a number of factors, such as the development of the global market, technological progress, and social values.
It is important to have an open and transparent discussion about this topic. All stakeholders, from farmers to consumers, must be involved in making choices about the future of agriculture.
Important aspects to consider in this discussion
- Sustainability: The agricultural sector must transition to a more sustainable way of producing food. This means, among other things, reducing the use of pesticides and artificial fertilizers, conserving natural resources, and promoting biodiversity.
- Food security: The food supply must be guaranteed, regardless of the circumstances on the global market. This means that we need to have a buffer against fluctuations in food prices and availability.
- Diversity: We must have a varied range of food products available. This means that we need to continue to import certain products, but also that we need to invest in the development of new, sustainable cultivation methods for other products.
How to change and what would be everyones role?
Technology
Technology can play an important role in making agriculture more sustainable and efficient. For example, new technologies can be used to reduce the use of pesticides and artificial fertilizers, to improve water management, and to increase crop yields.
Consumers
Consumers can also play a role in making agriculture more sustainable. For example, they can choose to buy local and organic products, and they can reduce their food waste.
Agriculture
The future of agriculture, and horticulture, is uncertain. However, it is clear that we need to find ways to produce food in a more sustainable way. This will require a joint effort from all stakeholders, including governments, farmers, consumers, and businesses.
Call to action
We encourage you to join the discussion about the future of agriculture. Share your thoughts and ideas with us, and let's work together to create a more sustainable