Toespraak bij de Food en Agribusiness Conferentie in Tokio, Japan

Toespraak | 31-10-2014

Your Majesties, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Over four hundred years ago, our ancestors must have thought the same as we do now; that cooperation strengthens both our economies. Our relationship was after all largely built on financial and commercial interests.

But in four hundred years we have learned a great deal more and our cooperation has broadened. Today, Japan and the Netherlands stand side by side in defending a rule based trading system and we cooperate in addressing international challenges.

The aim of this conference is to deepen and expand cooperation between the Japanese and Dutch governments, businesses and research institutes - for the benefit of both countries and all parties involved. In doing so, we will focus on many areas, but particularly on today’s topic: global food security and agribusiness opportunities. I would therefore like to thank Rabobank for organising this important event.

We all know the facts. The world’s population is expected to rise to over nine billion people by 2050. To feed everyone we will have to increase global food production by at least 60 percent. At the same time, we have to do this in such a way as not to harm our planet. We must also reduce our use of natural resources such as phosphates, water and fossil fuels.

The Netherlands can make a substantial contribution to addressing these challenges. We can do this firstly through our products. The Netherlands is the world’s second largest exporter of agricultural products. Around three quarters of domestic production of agricultural products is destined for export, while over ninety percent of products from greenhouse horticulture are exported.

But we can contribute even more through our knowledge and expertise. As we are limited by our physical borders, our farmers and researchers have always sought more efficient production methods. Nowhere in the world is so much produced within such a small area as in the Netherlands.

Other countries are therefore very curious to learn more about the solutions offered by our farmers, fisheries and businesses.

Japan also recognises the importance of a strong agricultural sector that contributes to economic growth. Our countries have much to offer each other. This has already produced several unique Japanese-Dutch partnerships. One of the projects is a high-tech greenhouse, 2.4 hectares in size, in Ishinomaki in the Miyagi prefecture, which was severely hit by the tsunami. This greenhouse was the first Japanese-Dutch consortium in the agricultural and horticultural sector. With the help of Dutch technology, tomatoes and peppers will be grown in this greenhouse from the spring of 2015.

Of course, our countries are different in many respects. But while we have the clear joint objective of making our agricultural sectors strong and sustainable, we can only benefit from each other’s strengths. And do not forget: our relationship stretches back for many generations. We have a very solid foundation to build on.

Thank you.