new videoclip - sustainable growth
For every newsletter we publish a new videoclip on our HOA YouTube channel. Our newest video clip ‘sustainable growth’ gives insight into how the Holland Onion Association wants to contribute, through knowledge and science, to the search for solutions regarding the role the Dutch onion plays in the global food supply. We demonstrate how we confront the challenges ahead within the Dutch onion chain. For within three decades, we have to produce roughly 60% more onions worldwide. On top of that we have to find more sustainable practices, since all sorts of production factors (quality land, fresh water, fertilizers) are becoming scarce and the current environmental impact is already too great according to general opinions.
Improved yield per hectare
The global onion production is currently somewhere around the 90 million (metric) tons. The consumption is expected to increase from 12 to 15 kilos per capita. This means that the production has to increase with at least 60% to 150 million (metric) tons in the next 30 years. While the export chain of our Holland Onion has the potential for growth up to 2 million (metric) tons, the available farmland has just about reached its limits.
So we have to simply yield more onions using the same amount of farmland. How do we plan to do that? Through even better varieties. Customized irrigation. Precision farming and even better management of diseases and pests.
Unique list of Holland Onion varieties
In our unique list of Holland Onion varieties we keep score of how well the best onion varieties perform in field tests in terms of shape, uniformity, firmness of the skin and solidness. In our new Uireka research we will also be focusing on variety characteristics that have thus far remained underexposed, such as root system, water efficiency and the thickness of the wax layer.All characteristics that are important for growing an onion using as little water as possible. An onion that can also withstand extreme weather conditions such as long periods of drought, high temperatures or heavy showers causing the soil to seal up.
The amount of potassium
We know exactly what the right amount of potassium is for each type of soil. For the development of a healthy bulb and for the famous firmness of our Holland Onion. For a proper firmness the so-called dry matter is also very important. All topics where there is still a lot of ground to gain.
Targeted water supply
Intelligent humidity sensors in the onion fields provide efficient irrigation. A matter of targeted water supply using drip irrigation. This ensures that we don’t give too much water and that we don’t give the water too late helping us generate a 20% higher yield! All that while losing a lot less fertilizers and pesticides through leaching. Throughout the world 70 percent of the fresh water is used for agricultural purposes. With the enormous growth that awaits us, we have to find more efficient methods. Particularly when you consider that in many places they still use a water cannon for irrigation!.
Dry seedbed
For onions you need a shallow seedbed that is well crumbled. It is therefore of great importance that we do not begin with the tillage before the soil has reached the right humidity level.. This way we prevent uneven or deviating growth as well as unnecessary damage to the crop. Which can be translated into direct additional yield.
Natural solutions
Our knowledge institutions are working intensively to find natural solutions to manage diseases and pests. Among other things they are looking at disease resistance in for example old varieties. It is an important objective to find a natural resistance against the soil-bound disease Fusarium and to put a stop to the further advancement of the thrips.
Because growth only makes sense if it is sustainable.
Click here to view our newest videoclip sustianable growth. If you would like to receive our newest videos automatically, you can subscribe to our HOA YouTube channel here.
