'Especially hang smart inventions on the big clock'

Boerenbusiness introduces this year the Boerenbusiness Awards, which are presented at the National Economic Agricultural Congress. We kick off with the registration for the Agribusiness Award. Any agribusiness company that has an ingenious idea, product or service can register until October 15, 2019. Aalt Dijkhuizen, the chairman of the jury, is pleased with the Awards. "As a sector, we are far too modest."

Dijkhuizen, chairman of the Agri&Food Top Team, among other things, decides as leader of the jury who will win the first Agribusiness Award. The winner will receive, in addition to a beautiful trophy, a media package of Boerenbusiness worth €6.500. "Smart, new developments are taking place every day in the Dutch agri and food sector. However, we are not the sector that immediately shows this," says Dijkhuizen.

In his view, innovations in agribusiness too often remain below the surface. "That is a pity, especially when the entire sector can benefit from it. This can have a commercial approach, but also contribute to the positive image of the sector. In short, every reason to offer interesting products or services. report for the Boerenbusiness Awards."

What is the added value of the Agribusiness Award?
"The Agribusiness Award focuses on the entire chain, while many other awards are limited to a single link. Think, for example, of the Agricultural Entrepreneur of the Year. Also fantastic, but ultimately the production of food is a chain matter, to which each link is involved. or makes its contribution, so it's great that the Agribusiness Award focuses on that chain."

The entries must, Dijkhuizen emphasizes, meet one important condition: "The farmer must benefit in one way or another. That is more than right, because the farmer link is an important part of the total success of Dutch agri. - and food chain," said the jury chairman.

In addition to Aalt Dijkhuizen, the jury consists of Pierre Berntsen (director of Agricultural Companies at ABN Amro) and Jan Omvlee (former export director at Rijk Zwaan). Together they assess all entries based on predetermined criteria and then nominate their 3 contenders for the Agribusiness Award 2019.

What other requirements must the entries meet, in addition to a proven effect for the agricultural entrepreneur?
"It must be new, but have already proven itself in the market. So a good idea on paper is not enough." Sustainability and profitability are also features that the jury will consider. "I think it is important that it leads to better productivity. In other words, producing more with the same raw materials, or producing the same thing with fewer raw materials. That is not only important for the cost price of the product, but also for the footprint (required space , greenhouse gas emissions).

The pursuit of better product quality also counts, he says. "Think of shelf life, food safety, animal welfare, working conditions. More transparency in the chain, so that the consumer can find out what happened where, is also very important to me. Finally, the product must have the widest possible applicability. know."

Sign up
Has your company brought such a smart innovation (product or service) onto the market? Don't hesitate and register before October 15, 2019 via Boerenbusiness.nl/awards† In addition to the Award, the winner will receive a media package worth €6.500.

In addition to an Agribusiness Award, Boerenbusiness also presented the Impact Award for the person with the most positive influence on the entire sector. You can register and nominate from 15 October. Both awards are presented at the National Economic Agricultural Congress of Boerenbusiness (on December 18, 2019 in Flint in Amersfoort). Do you want to be there? Order your tickets quickly via agricultural congress.nl.

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