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| December 2025 |
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Dear ,
As the year draws to a close, a time to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends, we bring you our final newsletter of 2025.
Over the past year, our team has travelled the globe, supporting organizations and businesses in the horticulture, agriculture and dairy farming sectors. We have also welcomed many groups to the Netherlands for inspiring study tours and training programmes.
Looking ahead to 2026, we look forward to reconnecting with many of you, whether in your own countries or here in the Netherlands. Despite the numerous conflicts around the world, let us remain committed to promoting peace, development and a sustainable future for agriculture and food security. The HollandDoor team will continue to support you in 2026 through training programmes, capacity building, matchmaking and study tours.
We wish you joyful holidays and an inspiring 2026!
Ad, Cedric, Engelie, Geerten, Jan Willem, Jos, Lisanne, Marian, Niek, René.
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Romanian cooperatives impressed by Dutch best practices
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To support its members in becoming more business-oriented and market-driven, Romanian National Branch Union of Cooperatives in the Vegetable Sector (UNCSV) initiated a project through the European Erasmus+ programme. As one of the project partners, in November HollandDoor hosted an intensive, week-long study visit for more than 40 chairpersons, board members and operational staff from more than 30 Romanian cooperatives. Participants explored both the historical roots and modern practices of the Dutch cooperative sector.
The agenda covered key elements of successful cooperative management, governance, financial sustainability, strategies for attracting new members, as well as marketing, branding and improving domestic and international sales performance. The visit provided valuable lessons and inspiration to help the Romanian cooperatives strengthen their capabilities and accelerate their development.
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Successful dairy farming study tour for Ghanaian delegation
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HollandDoor recently hosted a highly successful five-day study tour on dairy farming in the Netherlands for members of the Mpreaso Youth Farm Development Project delegation in Ghana.The programme focused on demonstrating the Dutch approach to efficient and sustainable dairy farming practices. Our aim was to enable direct knowledge transfer relevant to the development of modern dairy supply chains in Ghana.
On the agenda were theoretical training, practical exercises and visits that provided practical insights into all aspects of the dairy supply chain and supporting infrastructure.
We look forward to seeing the knowledge gained successfully implemented in Ghana.
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Dutch-Moldovan horticultural connections are strengthened
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With support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency ( JICA), HollandDoor completed an intensive training programme for Moldovan vegetable farmers. A highlight of the capacity-building programme was a comprehensive study tour in the Netherlands in November 2025, which gave leading Moldovan growers a first-hand look at the innovations driving the Dutch horticulture sector.
This programme forms part of HollandDoor’s broader commitment to advancing Moldova’s horticulture sector. Commissioned by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency ( RVO) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Moldova, Jos Leeters conducted a sector-wide scoping study in early 2025 which mapped the challenges and needs of the Moldovan fruit and vegetable industry and identified opportunities for growth and collaboration with Dutch partners. As a follow-up, a trade mission in November 2025 was organized, which took ten Dutch horticultural companies to Moldova to explore the industry on the ground and assess concrete business opportunities.
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Egyptian delegation learns from the Dutch TVET Model
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From 15 to 17 October, ten representatives from leading Egyptian agri-food companies took part in a study tour to the Netherlands. The visit marked a key step toward strengthening technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Egypt’s agricultural sector through international collaboration.
Throughout the visit, the delegation explored how the Netherlands integrates education, industry and innovation within its TVET ecosystem. The key objective is to align education with the needs of the industry, equip students with future-ready skills and foster job creation.
The tour concluded with a wrap-up workshop where participants presented their initial action plans. Their shared ambition is to collaborate both among themselves and with Dutch partners on curriculum co-development, teacher training, applied research and internship models tailored to Egypt’s agri-food context. Collaboration emerged as a central pillar for lasting impact.
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Export market study on fresh and processed produce for Togo
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HollandDoor is currently partnering with GloballyCool B.V. on an Export Market Study in Togo, commissioned by Lutheran World Relief (LWR). Togo produces a broad range of fresh and processed agricultural products, yet exports to higher-value international markets remain limited.
The study focuses on three crops: chilli peppers, okra and cassava, in both fresh and processed forms. It builds on earlier market analysis by identifying which product-market combinations offer the most realistic opportunities for Togo. This includes linking specific product forms to target markets based on demand, standards and trade conditions. Within this project, HollandDoor is providing its expertise in technical agriculture and market analysis, contributing insights on production practices, post-harvest handling, processing and export requirements. The study is designed to deliver practical, evidence-based guidance that reflects both market expectations and conditions on the ground.
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World Bank and Government of India study tour on digital
agriculture
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HollandDoor recently hosted a five-day Digital Agriculture Study Tour for delegates from the World Bank, the government of India and the government of Maharashtra. The tour offered a farm-to-fork view of how the Dutch agri-food system integrates digitalisation, logistics and public-private partnerships.
Throughout the week, the Dutch approach made it clear that digital agriculture is not solely about technology but also about structuring value chains, managing data and fostering collaboration to deliver consistent quality and sustainability. These insights offered practical inspiration designed to support India’s efforts to boost smallholder incomes and build more resilient agri-food systems.
“The study tour was a resounding success, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have participated. The knowledge and insights gained will contribute to my professional growth and inform my work in the agricultural sector.” - Vijay Singh, Director, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Government of India
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