Demand for sustainably grown vegetables grows every day
Geothermal source
We are constantly thinking about how we can grow even more sustainably. In 2014, we took a progressive step in this: we started exploiting geothermal heat. Together with another tomato grower, we drilled a well no less than 2,500 metres deep. At this depth, the water is about 87 degrees celcius, a natural heat source, deep from the earth itself.
We pump up this hot water and route it past heat exchangers. We store the heat we gain in large buffer tanks. This allows us to heat our greenhouses with clean, fossil-free energy, exactly when our plants need it. The cooled water then goes back into the earth, where it naturally reheats over time. This keeps it a closed and sustainable system.
Thanks to this geothermal heat, we can generate about 90% of our heat requirements ourselves. That means an annual saving of 10 million m3 of natural gas, or over 18 million kilos of CO2. A huge step forward towards a climate-neutral future and a great example of how we at Harting Holland continue to invest in sustainable growth.
CO2
Whereas many people think of CO2 mainly in terms of emissions and pollution, for us it is actually something valuable. After all, our tomato plants need CO2 to grow optimally. By cleverly recycling it, we can make our cultivation even more sustainable.
Because we mainly heat our greenhouses with geothermal heat, we emit little CO2 ourselves. Yet our plants do need that CO2. That is why we are connected to an innovative network of the Port of Rotterdam. There, industrial processes release a lot of CO2 which would otherwise be lost. This CO2 is first carefully purified and then transported to our greenhouses via a specially constructed pipeline. There we use it usefully and safely for the growth of our tomato plants.
In this way, we reuse a residual product that would otherwise go into the air, and contribute to circular and climate-friendly cultivation. For us, becoming sustainable not only means emitting less, but also being smart about what the environment has to offer.
Crop protection
For healthy and optimal growth of our tomato plants, protection of the crop is essential. At Harting Holland, we do this organically as much as possible. Every year we work together with Koppert Biological Systems to draw up a careful crop protection plan so that we start the new growing season as prepared as possible.
In practice, this means we deploy parasitic wasps and predatory bugs preventively to control any pests. Our plants are inspected weekly for pest infestations. If we find no infestations, we supplement the predatory bugs to keep the population healthy. If we do see a hot spot, we can intervene immediately by deploying additional biological control agents on the affected plants. This way, we continuously work on a balanced ecosystem in our greenhouses, where harmful insects don't have a chance.
Besides crop protection, we also provide a natural form of pollination. For this, we use NATUPOL colonies of bumblebees. Each colony contains 50 to 60 bumblebees that live in a hive about one metre above the ground. These bumblebees naturally take care of the pollination of our tomatoes. It is an efficient, sustainable method that is kind to both the environment and our plants.
Certification
Growing our tomatoes requires care and responsibility. That is why we work to the strictest standards of hygiene and food safety. Thanks to this dedication, we are certified according to On the way to PlanetProof, GlobalG.A.P, BRC Higher Level, GRASP and better for nature & farmer. In addition, we are always open to further certification at the request of our customers.
We have certifications in sustainable energy management, such as the Green Label Greenhouse. These greenhouses meet strict environmental requirements relating to energy consumption, nutrients (such as phosphate and nitrogen), crop protection and water use, among other things. In this way, we actively contribute to future-proof and responsible cultivation.
