Work

The agricultural sector is also one of the strong points of Limburg. Different initiatives are being developed and implemented in this branch which further expands Limburg's strong position.

Greenport Venlo

15,000 new jobs thanks to Greenport Venlo
A green company premises is being developed in Venlo within the framework of the Floriade 2012. This world horticulture fair provides an enormous boost for the agricultural and horticultural industry in Limburg. The premises of the Floriade 2012 (Greenport Venlo) will offer establishment opportunities for companies in the horticultural and agro logistics industry after the fair has ended.
 
The functionary will be hired by the company or will be sent on secondment by the company. The functionary's labour costs may be subsidised by up to 50% (25,000 Euro). They aimed to have 10 appointments per year; this became 30 appointments per year in 2007. The position of innovation officer was newly created for this project: an existing position was not allowed to be filled. The thirty innovation officers who were put on the project are experienced workers as well as recently graduated higher educated employees. Usually they are technicians, IT specialists, chemists, economists and marketing specialists.

The agriculture and horticulture in Limburg and its related sectors such as logistics, processing and development shall be strengthened considerably by this initiative. Ondernemend Limburg says it wishes to bring about a doubling of the added value, so that the regional economy will be stimulated and 15,000 new jobs will be created.

Agro-food sector in the southeast

Agro-food sector in the southeast of the Netherlands opens up borders. The southeast of the Netherlands will become a trend-setter in the area of agriculture and food by 2015. This ambition should be given for companies from the agro-food sector, educational and research institutions and the government entering into new connections with adjoining sectors such as logistics, health and perceptions.

The opportunities and possibilities of the agro-food sector in Limburg and North Brabant were examined during the AFC Open that was organised in January by the Agrofood Community. The red thread of the original information meeting was 'open innovation'. Limburg and the Northern part of Brabant will be working together more intensively in various areas. According to Herman Vrehen, Provincial Executive for the Limburg Province, “The collaboration with Brabant should lead to us becoming the best agro-food region in Europe”.

Vegetable products from Limburg in the market

The transfrontier development and marketing of innovative products (GEVIP) was worked on until October 2007. The aim of this project was to further develop and bring at least 17 new vegetable products with realistic market chances onto the market. Historical and completely new products in the grain, animal food, vegetable, fruit, and historical ornamental plant product lines were used as a starting point. The costs of these activities come to almost 1.2 million euros.

By now the project has lead to actual applications including the cultivation of three historical types of grain used to brew beer, the cultivation of two types of grain to be used as animal food for cows and pigs. To develop and market the different product lines the brand ‘Lute & Lotte’ was created. More information and a complete overview of all products that are offered by the GEVIP project can be found at: GEVIP-project