Shemaine Bushnell Kyriakides
When you think of windmills, tulips, The Girl with the Pearl Earring, Delft Blue pottery, or even the legendary tale of The Hole in the Dike, one country immediately comes to mind—the Netherlands! The Dutch have long been known for their innovative spirit, taking challenges and turning them into solutions. Whether it’s reclaiming land from the sea or revolutionizing agriculture, they always find a way to make things work.
After visiting the Netherlands last month, just before King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima were set to embark on their historic state visit to Cyprus, I saw firsthand how this problem-solving mindset is woven into their culture. From water management to farming, the Dutch don’t just adapt to their environment—they master it. And as their visit to Cyprus highlighted, this small but mighty country has a lot to offer when it comes to tackling big issues, especially in agriculture and food security.
Farming, the Dutch Way: A Young Farmer’s Passion for the Land
Just outside The Hague, nestled among the flat, open fields of the Dutch countryside, sits Straver Farm—a family-run business that’s as forward-thinking as it is deeply rooted in tradition. When we arrived, Arian, the 25-year-old farmer who runs the operation, greeted us with a warm smile and a steaming cup of coffee—much needed for this Cypriot visitor braving the Netherlands' freezing temperatures.
Arian wasted no time in sharing his family’s philosophy: farming isn’t just a job; it’s a way of life. Their mission? To keep their farm sustainable for future generations, take care of the soil, and stay ahead of the curve with new developments and techniques. And with 600 hectares of land—massive compared to the average Dutch family farm of 50-60 hectares—they're doing just that.
Back in 2017, in true Dutch fashion, the Straver family decided to embrace change before it became a necessity. They set aside 150 hectares for organic farming—no small feat given the challenges of selling organic produce compared to conventionally grown crops. But they’re determined to strike a balance between sustainability and profitability, with a strong focus on vegetable crops, particularly potatoes.
The Future of Farming is Young
One thing that stood out was Arian’s enthusiasm. He never once questioned whether he wanted to be a farmer—it was in his blood. That’s a stark contrast to Cyprus, where farming isn’t as family-centered, and younger generations are less likely to take up the trade. In the Netherlands, farming isn’t just seen as hard labor—it’s an appealing career with innovation, community, and even financial stability.
Arian put it simply: “You have to love it. It’s not for the faint of heart, but I love working with my family. We have a good income and the freedom to live life the way we want.”
This passion isn’t just limited to individual farms. The Dutch Young Farmers Association, with 7,500 members ("there's a Cyprus chapter", he said excitedly), provides a platform for young farmers to meet, exchange ideas, and engage in training programs. They gather twice a month, not just for social events but also to discuss policies that directly impact them. In short, young Dutch farmers aren’t just growing crops—they’re shaping the future of agriculture.
Technology Meets Tradition
One of the most jaw-dropping moments of our visit was when Arian introduced us to a piece of cutting-edge farming technology—a high-tech sprayer powered by AI. This €150,000 machine can scan each plant and determine exactly what it needs, spraying only the necessary amount of fertilizer or pesticide. Precision farming at its finest!
While the number of young farmers across Europe is declining, the Netherlands seems to be an exception. The Dutch have built a reputation for thinking ahead, whether in agriculture, water management, or even shipping. And speaking of planning for the future—our next stop would prove that this same mindset is shaping the future of Europe’s largest port: Rotterdam.
Rotterdam: The Port That’s Always One Step Ahead
If there’s one thing the Dutch do best, it’s turning obstacles into opportunities—and nowhere is that more obvious than in Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port. But this isn’t just a place where ships come and go; it’s a window into the future, where innovation, sustainability, and efficiency collide to keep the wheels of global trade turning.
After exploring Dutch agriculture, Rotterdam felt like the perfect next stop. Just like farming, the port isn’t just a job; it’s a lifestyle. And just like the farmers we met, the people running this massive operation aren’t just focused on getting by—they’re constantly looking ahead, making sure Rotterdam remains one step ahead in the fast-paced world of global trade.
Stretching across both land and water, Rotterdam is far more than just a port—it’s a thriving, buzzing hub with room for 3,000 companies and 30,000 container ships. Picture this: endless rows of containers, each one fitting together like pieces of a giant puzzle, all working to keep trade moving smoothly. The port is responsible for over 13% of Europe’s energy production, with nearly half of its operations tied to energy and oil. It’s a key player in Europe’s energy sector, and its influence stretches far and wide.
One of the driving forces behind Rotterdam’s forward-thinking vision is the Rotterdam Port Development company, which has been working on digitizing the port and transitioning to greener practices for over 15 years. That’s right—15 years ago, they were already thinking about how to make the port more sustainable and efficient. Talk about a masterclass in foresight.
But the real showstopper? Hydrogen. Rotterdam is betting big on hydrogen as a clean energy source, predicting that by 2050, 20 million tonnes of hydrogen will flow through the port every year. To make that happen, they’re building the infrastructure right now—pipelines that will carry the hydrogen to Germany and Belgium, as well as facilities to handle it. This move is part of Europe’s broader plan to decarbonize and reach net-zero emissions in the coming decades. Now that’s what we call planning for the future!
It’s hard to overstate just how much the Dutch are investing in tomorrow. Rotterdam is a perfect example of how they’re always thinking ahead—whether it’s expanding canals in the 1800s or paving the way for green energy today. While other countries are still scrambling to adapt, the Dutch are already shaping the next big thing. And Rotterdam? It’s firmly planted at the heart of European trade, ready to keep growing and evolving for generations to come.
Water mining, really?
But it’s not just about energy or shipping—water is the next frontier for Dutch innovation, especially when it comes to solving one of the most pressing challenges in countries like Cyprus: access to clean water. During our stop at TU Delft, we were introduced to Dimitris Xevgenos (yes he's Greek) an assistant professor leading an exciting project funded by the EU that could revolutionize water use across the globe. The project focuses on a machine that can turn salty seawater into potable drinking water by using caustic soda. Sounds impressive, right? But there are still a few kinks to iron out: the machine currently requires a lot of energy to operate, and the brine it produces as waste can’t just be tossed back into the sea without causing pollution.
That’s where the Netherlands comes in. Stakeholders have already invested €554 million in this technology, with €19 million coming from the EU, and the Dutch are sharing it with Cyprus, where water scarcity is a growing concern. In fact, the Vasiliko power plant in Cyprus is already putting this technology to work. Given the ongoing droughts and the drying dams in Cyprus, this kind of innovation couldn’t come at a better time. With climate change threatening to intensify water shortages, the potential for desalination technology like this could help secure a steady supply of water for years to come.
Once again, the Dutch are looking ahead, not just solving problems for today, but ensuring a more sustainable future. From ports to agriculture to water mining, they’re paving the way for tomorrow’s challenges—and sharing their solutions with the world. Cyprus, too, stands to benefit from this forward-thinking collaboration, proving once again that when it comes to turning challenges into opportunities, the Dutch are leading the way.
