India’s horticulture industry is set for a major technological leap, with the Netherlands launching a collaborative initiative to support pesticide-free food production through advanced, climate-resilient greenhouses. The program, backed by artificial intelligence-driven precision tools, focuses on high-value crops and sustainable farming practices, including water conservation and energy-efficient systems.
A Dutch public-private consortium, HortiRoad2India, has been formed to drive the initiative, with plans to work closely with Indian stakeholders. The consortium has spent five years studying India’s agricultural needs and has now developed a comprehensive support model that combines technology transfer, training, market linkages, and financing frameworks in partnership with Indian banks.
“We have created a pragmatic and holistic package for India,” said Tiffany Meijer, Project Manager for International Trade in the Dutch horticulture sector and co-lead for the program. The model includes mid-tech and high-tech greenhouse solutions, particularly using glasshouse structures that offer better climate control and resource efficiency than traditional polyhouses.
High-value crops and high-tech systems
Under the plan, crops such as strawberries, colored capsicum, cherry tomatoes, micro-greens, and lettuce will be grown in hi-tech glass greenhouses, while tomatoes will be cultivated in mid-tech structures. The advanced systems promise 96% lower water use than open-field farming and up to 30-fold higher yields, particularly in tomato cultivation — all without pesticides or genetically modified seeds.
“We want to generate clean food that doesn’t need washing,” said Desh Ramnath, Director and coordinator of HortiRoad2India. He added that the technology relies on biological pest control and disease-resistant hybrid varieties.
City-cluster model and cold-chain build-out
The Dutch team aims to create clusters of high-value greenhouses near major Indian urban centers to reduce transport losses and improve freshness. Projects are currently being rolled out in Bengaluru, Chennai, and Punjab, with farmers investing in the infrastructure.
To reduce post-harvest waste — a major challenge in India — the initiative also includes plans for a network of cold-storage facilities, according to Ivo Meijer, Senior Manager for International & Economic Affairs in the Dutch government.
Dutch Consul General to South India, Ewout de Wit, said the initiative would boost farmer incomes, create rural employment, and strengthen India’s food security. “With this technology, production can be set up near ports, markets, or consumption hubs — wherever it best supports domestic supply or export,” he noted.
Farmers and investors take interest
Several Indian growers, including Bengaluru-based strawberry farmer Ramakrishna, are already adopting the Dutch system. “Demand is far higher than what I can currently supply. This model will help me scale production significantly,” said Ramakrishna, a former engineer who now runs The Bengaluru Berry Company.
Dutch entrepreneur Pieter Jan Robbermont urged Indian investors, especially tech industry leaders, to back greenhouse farming ventures to accelerate sustainability and modernization in horticulture.