Association HIP founded

4,5 million euros for potato innovation

22 September 2017 - Niels van der Boom

€4,5 million will be invested in the first research activity of the brand new association Holland Innovative Potato (HIP). 10 companies from the potato chain are affiliated to this, in order to feed innovation within the potato sector. To this end, a partnership has been concluded with NWO-TTW and the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

The goal of HIP is "to contribute to the economic and social goals of the participating companies," it said in a press release. The first €4,5 million for research has now been raised. The spearheads are quality improvement, yield and efficiency of cultivation, transport and processing. The research results must be implemented within the sector by 2027, in order to strengthen the position of the potato.

10

businesses

are connected within HIP

Major processors connected
The 10 affiliated companies are: Avebe, Aviko, Farm Frites, McCain, Lamb Weston Meijer, PepsiCo, Bejo, HZPC, Meijer and Solynta. This means that all major Dutch potato processors are represented in the association, plus a number of important seed potato companies.

The three-member board consists of Dick Zelhorst of Aviko, Robert Graveland of HZPC and Dick Hylkema of the NAO. The latter is also chairman. Coordinator is Bernard de Geus and Hylke Brunt, of the trade association VAVI, acts as secretary.

Collaborate with government
The association is made up of separate research programmes. Together, these should lead to higher quality, yield and efficiency. To this end, HIP is entering into a partnership with NWO-TTW. The Netherlands Scientific Organization (NWO), domain Applied and Engineering Sciences (AES).

The Ministry of Economic Affairs also finances part of the programme, as do the participating companies. The budget for the first research activity is €4,5 million. The deadline for submitting projects is January 11, 2018.

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Niels van der Boom

Niels van der Boom is a senior market specialist for arable crops at DCA Market Intelligence. He mainly makes analyses and market updates about the potato market. In columns he shares his sharp view on the arable sector and technology.

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