Starch potatoes provide firmness and stability

"Even when I was still in diapers, I actually knew I wanted to become an arable farmer," says Angelo Bakker (20) from Borgercompagnie (Groningen). Together with his parents Henk and Harriëtte, he runs a 250-hectare arable farm. With a 50% share, starch potatoes play the leading role in the cropping plan. Although new crops such as consumption potatoes and onions are sometimes tempting, the partnership is sticking to the 'factory potatoes' for the time being. "With starch potatoes you have certainty and stability; that suits us best for now."

Bayer speaks with Angelo Bakker for the Young & Entrepreneurial column. How do young entrepreneurs run their businesses? What opportunities and threats do they see within their field? And above all: how do they view the future?

When did you know you wanted to become an arable farmer?
"Well, how old do you have to be to know that? I think I was still in diapers; even then I knew I wanted to become an arable farmer! I was already driving the tractor at ten, and after that I took on almost every type of work on our farm. So an agricultural education – specializing in Arable Farming, level 4 in Groningen – was more or less a given. And my three internships were all focused on arable farming as well. No, doing something else never crossed my mind. This is exactly what I have always wanted."

You have been in a partnership with your parents for four years now. How have those years gone?
"Actually, it is very natural and smooth. I have complete freedom to put forward my plans and ideas, and we almost never disagree about them. It helps that my father and I think alike on many matters. Neither of us is a big adventurer, and we aim for stable business operations. In that respect, we have a very authentic arable farm without any frills."

We don't really have a division of roles within the company, although I handle the sowing, planting, and harvesting just a little more. My dad is more into the organization surrounding it. The only thing I never do is plow, because my father thinks that is wonderful work.

What has changed since you joined the company?
"Nothing very big, although some new machines have been added to enable us to work more efficiently. For instance, in 2024 we purchased a new planter, a towed hydraulically driven 4-row planter with ridging cages. This not only saves us an extra pass – ridging – but thanks to the large hopper capacity of 3,5 tons, we can now also make a single trip back and forth on our home plots. After all, those plots are 1.600 meters long, or well over 3 kilometers round trip."

Furthermore, we also purchased a new plough last year, a five-furrow plough with FlexPack. Previously, we mainly tilled our fields, but we saw weed pressure steadily increase with that. In our experience, you suppress weeds somewhat better with a turning tillage. Especially before the potatoes, we consider it important to start clean.

Where do you want to take the company in the coming years?
"For the time being, things are fine as they are. With 50% starch potatoes in our cropping plan – BMC, Festien, and Avelina; all for Avebe – we are already farming quite intensively. More root crops is therefore difficult. Moreover, we value our relationship with Avebe; it offers stability and security, which we appreciate. Of course, we have seen the high prices for processing potatoes and onions come and go in recent years, but that has not yet tempted us to adjust our cropping plan."

 "Although… last year we did seriously consider starting with onions. But in the end, we didn't do it because of the uncertain market outlook and the labor involved. Right now, the two of us can handle the work well; with onions in the crop rotation, the question is whether we would have enough time and attention for this crop at crucial moments. In terms of cultivation knowledge, I would be up for the challenge; they grew onions at my internship locations too, so it’s not entirely new to me. And storing the onions shouldn't be a problem here either. With some adjustments to one of our storage sheds, that should work out fine."

If we get the chance, I might consider expanding the acreage a bit further. But again: it has to remain manageable for the two of us. So far, we have been able to handle the work without too much stress, and we would like to keep it that way.

What do you see as the biggest challenges or concerns for the coming years?
"I am not someone who worries easily, but if I have to name something, it is the fickle nature of politics. I like clarity and knowing where you stand, but that has been hard to find in The Hague in recent years. Sometimes I really wonder: do they even want to keep farmers in the Netherlands? Now it sometimes seems as if they want to smoke all the farmers out."

"Another point is the phasing out of crop protection products. Although this has not yet led to a critical situation within our cropping plan, I do see that it is becoming increasingly difficult. This year, for example, you are no longer allowed to use Sencor and Arcade in potatoes. Certainly in weed-rich areas like ours, that is a significant blow. I also find the discussion surrounding products containing PFAS worrying. Can we really retain these products, including Propulse in beets and potatoes? I am anything but reassured about that…"

How do you view the future? Will you still be an arable farmer in ten years?
"Despite the aforementioned concerns, I view the future positively. Farming has traditionally been successful in this area, and over the years, it has been possible to earn a good living. Moreover, the people here are still reasonably 'agriculture-minded,' which means we have a social standing."

So yes, in ten years I will certainly still be an arable farmer. Hopefully still together with my parents, and hopefully with the same satisfaction as now.

What do you like most about your job?
Especially the freedom to execute your own plans and ideas. In terms of work, I actually like everything. But if I have to choose something: harvesting beets with our own Rootster beet harvester, that really is beautiful work!

Finally: what advice would you like to give starting colleagues?
"Then I would say: above all, do something you really enjoy. Because you will stick with that, even during times when things are a bit more difficult. And also important: discuss as many matters as possible at the kitchen table. And not just the worries or difficulties, but also the passion for the profession. That way, you stay positive. Furthermore, I believe there is more to life than just the business. My father always says: 'Save a little time for socializing too.' I completely agree with that."

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