Agenda

Mastercourse Floriculture November 2024
New Mastercourse explores future of industry and connection to society

The Pro Manager Mastercourse Floriculture has been organized for over 10 years now and connects future floricultural leaders from around the globe with the current leaders in the industry. Together they discuss the future of their respective companies and thus, in a timespan of two weeks, the future of the industry. The newest edition will take place from 28 October to 8 November 2024, coinciding with the IFTF and Aalsmeer Trade Fair.

From inside to outside the greenhouse
The Jungle Talks’ Mastercourses have evolved over time. When we started, the focus of the course was on what happened inside the greenhouse. Optimizing growth, production, quality and output. Soon after, robotization and AI were added to the program. In recent years, the relevance of floriculture in terms of its added value to society / consumers, has become a topic that can no longer be ignored.

Future leaders
Jungle Talks selects its participants and uses strict criteria. Our alumni are the future leaders of the industry. They are (potential) gamechangers, connectors and thought leaders.  They are not only in a position to lead their company into the future, but also the sector as a whole. To that end we’ve been working closely with AIPH on their Young International Grower of the Year Award for the past 3 years. The Mastercourse Floriculture serves as the pre-selection for this award.

Next step
To further promote what we strive for, selecting the best of the best what floriculture can offer, AIPH and Jungle Talks have started to encourage National Young Grower or Future Leader awards. In the upcoming months Asocolflores in Colombia, the Kenya Flower Council in Kenya and Veiling Holambra in Brazil are organizing national events to award young talents in the industry. The winners participate in the upcoming edition of the Mastercourse Floriculture and are automatically pre-selected to the Young International Grower of the Year award.

Partners
For the upcoming edition Jungle Talks is delighted to work again with an incredible group of partners, supporting the Mastercourse: Koppert, Viscon, Chrysal, Klasmann-Deilmann, Krimpen, Floramedia, Bunnik Creations, Logiqs, Plant Empowerment and Koppert Cress.

Selection of participants
Do you see yourself as a Future Leader within your company and of the ornamental sector in your country? Don’t hesitate to apply and get selected!  

For more information and the application form, please click here. If your application form meets our criteria you will be invited for a personal interview in English.

 

Mastercourse Floriculture 2024 again on the agenda! 

After a hugely successful 2023 edition in January, we are lining up our partners again for a brandnew edition in January 2024. Please find the course program and application form here. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us directly! Also, do check out our last video of the 2023 edition to get a better feel of what our Mastercourse is all about. 

Pro Manager Mastercourse Floriculture takes place from 16 - 27 January 2023
Future leaders wanted for new edition Mastercourse Floriculture

Following a very successful edition in June 2022, Jungle Talks is partnering again with leading suppliers of knowledge and technology from the Netherlands in organizing the Pro Manager Mastercourse Floriculture from 16 – 27 January, 2023. In addition, Jungle Talks teams up with AIPH in organizing the 2^nd ‘Young International Grower of the Year Award’ during the IPM in Essen. The Mastercourse serves therefore as the pre-selection for this award.

‘The success or our recent Mastercourse proved that after Covid-19, but also because of the state of the world today, there’s a demand for an opportunity to meet with peers from around the world and exchange knowledge and experiences, but at the same time to get inspired and challenged about the future of floriculture,’ says organizer Ed Smit.

‘The selection process for our upcoming Mastercourse Floriculture is now in full swing. We’re looking for future floricultural leaders between 25-40 years old from around the globe, with a minimum of 5 years working experience in a leading position at a future proof producer of ornamentals. Selected candidates can, if interested, participate in the selection process of the Young International Grower of the Year.’

The Pro Manager Mastercourse partners with Koppert, Dümmen Orange, Ridder, Hortilux Schrèder, Logiqs, Lets Grow, Visser Horti Systems, Klasmann – Deilmann, HortiXS and Van Krimpen.  
‘We are very proud these leading companies and organizations work together to support and inspire this international group,’ says Ed Smit. ‘These partnerships guarantee a high level visit program and give participants ample opportunity to network at CEO level with horticultural leaders from the Netherlands.’
During the course, participants will work out their own vision on the future of floriculture and the role of their own company. Following the visits, meetings, inspirational sessions and feedback of peers and leading floricultural CEO’s, they return to their own country and company, ready to make a difference.

Floricultural managers from around the globe are welcome to apply before September 30. Your application is followed by a selection procedure. By November 15, 15 managers are selected to be part of the upcoming Mastercourse. If selected, participation to the Pro Manager Master Course costs 1.250 Euro. This includes all meals, entrance fees, professional guidance and transport during the Mastercourse. In addition, you pay for your own travel costs and lodging.
More information on the program can be downloaded here, including the interactive registration on the final page. To get a first impression, check out this short video that was made following the successful 2019 edition.

Pro Manager Mastercourse Floriculture again a success in 2022
Top managers participating in Mastercourse in the Netherlands

These days the Mastercourse Floriculture 2022 is in full swing. After a 2,5 year pause, due to Covid-19, Jungle Talks was able to select another group of excellent managers, between 25 and 40 years old representing international, ‘future proof’ floricultural companies. These managers are currently travelling around the Westland region and will visit GreenTech and Flower Trials this week. In addition they will also visit Royal Flora Holland, Dutch Flower Group and the Floriade.

The Mastercourse Floriculture is powered by Jungle Talks in close cooperation with leading providers of knowledge and technology from the Netherlands. The course kicked off last week and the participants were immersed in a wealth of horticultural knowledge and experience provided by partners Koppert, Ridder Growing Solutions, Hortilux Schrèder, Logiqs, Horticoop, Dümmen Orange, Horti XS, Letsgrow, Van Krimpen and Van der Valk Horti Systems.

Cooperating companies’ directors are receiving the participants and will discuss merely strategy and vision, not so much products or services. Initiator Ed Smit is pleased to conclude that after the first week, both participants as well as partners were more than ready to meet and not only exchange knowledge and experience, but above all share their views on the future and really inspire each other on multiple levels. ‘Every Mastercourse is an intensive experience, for me as an organizer, but also for the participants and partners involved, but I can already see it was worth it again this year and we hope to continue now Covid-19 seems to be kept at bay, at least during the summer months in Europe,’ says Ed Smit.

Jungle Talks and the course participants are especially looking forward to tomorrow, because three participants to the Mastercourse, Chris Rocheleau from the United States (ForemostCo.), Pablo Bazzani (Plazoleta) from Colombia and Matyas Bartha (Silvervase), also from the USA, are the three finalists for the first ever AIPH ‘Young International Grower of the Year Award.’ The winner will be announced tomorrow evening during the International Grower of the Year gala following the GreenTech trade fair.
 

Jungle Talks to India                                                                                                                
Thursday 16 December & Thursday 23 December 2021 (16.00 – 17.00 hrs CET)

This upcoming Thursday and the next Paprika Tasty Radio will broadcast the last two episodes of the series ‘Jungle Talks to the World’ which will focus on horticultural developments in India. The country has all the potential to become a regional leader when it comes to the production of quality flowers and vegetables, but India is also conservative and entrepreneurs often traditional. Full potential has not been reached yet and will it, say in 5-10 years from now? If you interested in doing business in Controlled Environment Agriculture in India, tune in the next two weeks for Jungle Talks to India!

Agricultural Counsellor Michiel van Erkel will present a general overview of the current horticultural sector in India. Afterwards, Manish Jain, CEO of KF Bioplant and KF Bioseeds will zoom in India’s flower production market and cooperation with foreign partners. Robert de Bos, Director at Bangalore Plants First has been giving technical assistance to Indian growers for more than 20 years. He’ll share his insights in how to bring local production skills to a higher level. Last but not least, Uday Bhat, Director of Koppert Biological Systems in India will update the audience on the use and implementation of biological crop protection and bio stimulants.

During the second episode on December 23, presenter Ed Smit and his guests will zoom in on some of the challenges in horticulture in India and how to tackle them.
India is a huge country with huge cities and logistics that are not yet apt for perishables. This problem won’t be solved from one day to the other. What solutions can be thought of? Even more local for local? Private investment in closed cool chains? What can foreign parties (public or private) do to improve this?

Another issue is that prices remain low. The top end market is supplied by imported produce. On the other hand, if high quality produce was available in India, a rapidly growing (local) market would be within reach and, in addition, export opportunities would become a reality to, with the Middle East as the promising, nearby market.
However, the sector needs to be ready on a production level, marketing level and on a logistic level to satisfy the needs of high end demand. What needs to be done to turn this wheel around? Is it the public sector or the private sector? A combination of both? What would be the first steps to be taken and what can foreign companies and governments do to accelerate this process?

If you’re interested to know more about India, do not miss these episodes of Jungle Talks to the World. In 2 hours you’ll get a good overview of the current situation in horticulture and what the future will look like in the next couple of years. Tune in on Thursday 16 December and 23 December at 16.00 CET via www.paprikatastyradio.nl.  

‘Jungle Talks to India’ is powered by Paprika Tasty Radio and Jungle Talks and supported by Netherlands Agricultural Network. Following the radio shows, all ‘Jungle Talks to’ episodes can be downloaded as podcast from Open Spotify via this link:
https://bit.ly/JungleTalksPodcast

Jungle Talks to Morocco                                                                                                         
Thursday 2 December & Thursday 9 December 2021 (16.00 – 17.00 hrs CET)

This week and the next ‘Jungle Talks to the World’ puts the spotlight on  horticultural developments in Morocco. The country is a leading producer of greenhouse vegetables, but also very susceptible to climate change. This makes that the horticultural sector is now dealing with a few major challenges of which the biggest is water. The Moroccan government is becoming aware of these problems and keen to make changes, but will it be enough?

Agricultural Counsellor Niek Schelling will present a general overview of the current horticultural sector in Morocco. Afterwards, Ad van Kester of Agrocare will zoom in on production in Morocco and the advantages and challenges that brings. Fouad Ababou, area sales manager at Hoogendoorn, will explain in more detail how the implementation of horticultural technology has been progressing. Last but not least, Robert van der Lans, CEO of Horti XS will share with the audience how a horticultural demonstration project will be implemented and what it intends to bring to further develop the country’s horticultural sector.

One week later on December 9, presenter Ed Smit and his guests will zoom in on some of the challenges in horticulture in Morocco and how to tackle them.
The biggest of all is water. Most producers in Morocco build cost effective greenhouses and produce their vegetables in the soil. Water comes from reservoirs, which are getting empty and rain is scarce throughout the year. The government therefore is pushing limitation of water use in the sector and special programs are being put in place.
The future of Moroccan horticulture no doubt depends on becoming more sustainable, very fast. Not only by limiting water use, but also by implementing more biological pest control, recycling plastics and making use of renewable energy.

If you’re interested to know more about Morocco, do not miss these episodes of Jungle Talks to the World. In 2 hours you’ll get a good overview of the current situation in horticulture and what the future will look like in the next couple of years. Tune in on Thursday 2 December and 9 December at 16.00 CET via www.paprikatastyradio.nl.  

‘Jungle Talks to Morocco’ is powered by Paprika Tasty Radio and Jungle Talks and supported by Netherlands Agricultural Network. Following the radio shows, all ‘Jungle Talks to’ episodes can be downloaded as podcast from Open Spotify via this link:
https://bit.ly/JungleTalksPodcast

Pro Manager Mastercourse Floriculture returns in January 2022
Again 18 top managers to the Netherlands

After a 2 year pause, due to Covid-19, the preparations of a brand new and upcoming Mastercourse Floriculture are in full swing. Last week the selection of participants was finalized and from 24 January until 4 February 2022 another group of excellent managers, between 25 and 40 years old representing international, ‘future proof’ floricultural companies will visit the Netherlands & Germany (IPM Essen) for two weeks.

The Mastercourse Floriculture is powered by Jungle Talks in close cooperation with leading providers of knowledge and technology from the Netherlands. Ed Smit is pleased to conclude that both participants as well as partners are more than ready to meet again and learn from each other.
“This year the selection process took longer than expected and was rather tough because of the excellent level of the candidates. We also saw an increasing interest from Asia, but due to strict Covid-19 restrictions, these candidates are not in a position to travel to Europe just yet.”

Our selected participants come from Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Canada, USA, Kenya, Uganda, Ukraine, Belgium and the Netherlands.  This group is a good reflection of the worldwide floricultural sector, both in terms of geography and product differentiation. ‘Our participants are active in the production of cut flowers, green and flowering plants, Phalaenopsis, bedding plants and cuttings.’

Partners
During two intensive weeks in the Netherlands, the selected participants are immersed in a wealth of horticultural knowledge and experience. Koppert Biological Systems, Ridder Growing Solutions, Hortilux Schrèder, Logiqs, Horticoop, Dümmen Orange, Horti XS, Letsgrow, Van Krimpen and Van der Valk Horti Systems are partners of the Pro Manager Mastercourse.

Cooperating companies’ directors are receiving the participants and will discuss merely strategy and vision, not so much products or services. That experience must give the participants a final encouragement in their development towards the strategic steps to be taken in their own company. After two weeks of meetings with Dutch floricultural leaders, complemented by inspirational sessions and interactive meetings and workshops, the participants will present their personal vision on the future of the international floricultural sector and the role of their company in it.

Last but not least, Jungle Talks was asked by AIPH to start a special cooperation during the IPM in Essen. One of the selected participants to this Pro Manager Mastercourse a will receive the first ever AIPH ‘Young International Grower of the Year Award.’

 “We are very proud these leading companies and organizations work together to support and inspire this international group,’ says Ed Smit. “Jungle Talks will maintain and foster the contacts between participants, partners and supporters also after the Pro Manager Mastercourse, in order to make sure that all parties will make the most of this valuable cooperation.”

Jungle Talks to the USA                           
Thursday 18 November & Thursday 25 November 2021 (16.00 – 17.00 hrs CET)

For the coming two weeks, ‘Jungle Talks to the World’ will put the spotlight on Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) in the United States of America. Finally!
With representatives of Green Circle Growers, Revol Greens / Equilibrium, the University of the District of Colombia and of course the Dutch Agricultural Counsellor, we will discuss CEA in all its forms, from greenhouse horticulture to indoor / urban farming.

Agricultural Counsellor Marianne Vaes will kick off with a short overview of the current developments. Professor Sabine O’Hara of the University of District of Columbia, the only University in the world that is fully focused on Urban Agriculture, will explain what her program CAUSES is all about.
Marcel Boonekamp, Director of Growing at Green Circle Growers, the largest Phalaenopsis grower in the country, will dive in current trends and developments of the ornamental sector. Last but not least, Marco de Bruin, co-founder and Board Member of Revol Greens will share his thoughts on current and future business models with a focus on finance and autonomous growth.  

Presenter Ed Smit will introduce his guests during the first episode on November 18. The following week, on November 25, he and his guests will talk about the opportunities and challenges in this huge country. Local for local is becoming mainstream, not just in terms of producing close to your market but sourcing, in all its forms, will also be done closer to home. Does this provide opportunities to produce in Sustainable Urban Delta’s, as Meiny Prins predicts, or will production even be a reality ‘within the last mile’, in city centers?

Money makes the world go around. Especially in the USA. Horticulture has traditionally been financed by banks and from own capital. The past decade has seen major changes, both in ‘traditional’ horticulture as well as in indoor farms. Private equity has entered in many companies and creates opportunities for exponential growth. Marco de Bruin represents the world of private equity, but what will the future of Green Circle Growers look like from this perspective, a company that has always been based on organic growth without the help of external investors?

Two hours definitely is not sufficient to tackle all the major topics in horticulture in the USA, but this episode will definitely trigger you to find out more in case you have still missed out on this huge market. In 2 hours you’ll get a good overview of the current situation in horticulture and what the future will look like in the next couple of years. Tune in on Thursday 18 and 25 November at 16.00 hrs CET via www.paprikatastyradio.nl.  

‘Jungle Talks to the USA’ is powered by Paprika Tasty Radio and Jungle Talks and supported by Netherlands Agricultural Network. Following the radio shows, all ‘Jungle Talks to’ episodes can be downloaded as podcast from Open Spotify via this link:
https://bit.ly/JungleTalksPodcast

Pro Manager Mastercourse Floriculture returns in January 2022
Future leaders wanted for new edition of Mastercourse

After a 2 year pause due to COVID-19, Jungle Talks is partnering again with leading suppliers of knowledge and technology from the Netherlands in organizing the Pro Manager Mastercourse Floriculture from 24 January to February 4, 2022. In addition, Jungle Talks teams up with AIPH in organizing the ‘Young International Grower of the Year Award’ during the IPM in Essen. The Mastercourse serves therefore as the pre-selection for this brand new award.

That selection process for the Mastercourse is now in full swing! We’re looking for future floricultural leaders between 25-40 years old from around the globe, with a minimum of 5 years working experience in a leading position at a future proof producer of ornamentals. Selected candidates can, if interested, participate in the selection process of the Young International Grower of the Year.

The Pro Manager Master Course partners with Koppert Biological Systems, Dümmen Orange, Ridder, Hortilux Schrèder, Logiqs, Horticoop, Lets Grow, HortiXS, Van Krimpen and Van der Valk Systems.  

These partnerships guarantee a high level visit program and give participants ample opportunity to network at CEO level with horticultural leaders from the Netherlands. In addition, participants will need to work out their own vision on the future of horticulture and the role of their own company during this course. Based on the visits, meetings, inspirational sessions and feedback of peers and of leading floricultural CEO’s, they return to their own country and company, ready to make a difference.

The working language during the course is English and floricultural managers from around the globe are welcome to apply. Deadline for application is October 31. Your application is followed by a selection procedure and by early November 15 managers are selected to be part of the upcoming Mastercourse. If selected, participation to the Pro Manager Master Course costs 1250 Euro. In addition, you pay for their own travel costs and lodging. More information on the program can be downloaded here. The interactive registration form can be found here. To get a first impression, check out this short video that was made following the successful 2018 and 2019 edition.
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Jungle Talks at the GreenTech                                
Radio and podcast special on the sustainable and efficient production of healthy food!

Last week GreenTech in Amsterdam will be the international meeting place for horticulture professionals. During the fair Jungle Talks, in close cooperation with Holland Horti Media, recorded a special radio program and podcasts on sustainability in horticulture and the future of food which will be broadcast by Paprika Tasty Radio on October 5 at 16.00 hrs!

By 2050, the earth will have 2 billion extra inhabitants. At the same time, major parts of the world will face droughts and water shortages, which will highly impact regional food security. We need to find an answer on how to feed the world without harming the planet.
Greenhouses can play an important role in providing for this increasing demand for safe, healthy and sufficiently produced food. Greenhouse acreage is steadily increasing, but there are not enough growers to operate them. This problem will only increase in the coming years. Can smart, autonomous, steering algorithms provide solid solutions? Not only in developed markets, but all over the world? And how do we communicate the power of technology and innovation to the consumer? Are they ready for this new era in food production? How do we (re)connect to society?

Presenter Ed Smit and co-host Frederik Vossenaar, special envoy at the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality discussed opportunities, new technologies and innovations with Ronald Hoek, CEO of Blue Radix and Art van Rijn, CEO of Artechno.

‘Jungle Talks at the GreenTech’ is powered by Holland Horti Media & Paprika Tasty Radio and supported by Netherlands Agricultural Network.

This GreenTech special is broadcast on October 5, 16.00 hrs CET via www.paprikatastyradio.nl. Following the radio broadcast, this special will also be available for download as podcast from Open Spotify via this link:
https://bit.ly/JungleTalksPodcast

Jungle Talks to Turkey                                                                                                                      
Thursday 2 September & Thursday 9 September 2021 (16.00 – 17.00 hrs CET)

Following a summer break, Jungle Talks is back for a new series of episodes on global horticulture. For the upcoming months we’ll travel to Turkey, Russia, France, Morocco, Singapore, USA and India and we’ll make a special on Mexico during the fair in Irapuato. We kick off with Turkey, a country famous for its strategic location and historically influenced by Europe as well as the Middle East and Asia. How has controlled environment agriculture (CEA) developed over the past years and what does the future of this enormous country look like?

Horticulture in Turkey is big business, de sector comprises of some 65.000 ha of production in protected environments of which 2000 ha are modern greenhouses. Production is mostly concentrated near the coastal city of Antalya and here you also find the offices and production locations of suppliers of knowledge and technology and seed companies.
Agricultural Counsellor Maarten Wegen will first give a general overview of the current situation and recent developments in Turkish horticulture. He will be followed by Carl Zoeten, breeding manager BeJo Seeds who will dive into the world of seeds and sustainability. Hakan Oztürk, representing Growlight, will literally shine his light on more technical issues such as lighting and irrigation. Last but now least, Lars Korup, COO of Queen Turkey will inform the audience in more detail on what is happening in floriculture in the country.  

Size and volume do not necessarily lead to success. While Turkey has built up an enormous horticultural industry, the country and its market definitely has its share of challenges and problems. Especially in the field of sustainability and energy use improvements can be made and opportunities arise.
In addition, labor and education deserve more attention. In Turkey, the horticultural sector competes with tourism. What can producers learn from touristic entrepreneurs in order to create attractive, stimulating and above all stable jobs?

Presenter Ed Smit discusses these and more issues with his 4 guests. On September 2, 16.00 hrs CET they will share their views and experience with the audience. One week later, on September 9, they will discuss the aforementioned themes that are important for the future of the sector.

If you’re interested to know more about Turkey, do not miss these episodes of Jungle Talks to the World. In 2 hours you’ll get a good overview of the current situation in horticulture and what the future will look like in the next couple of years. Tune in on Thursday 2 and 9 September at 16.00 hrs via www.paprikatastyradio.nl.  

‘Jungle Talks to Turkey’ is powered by Paprika Tasty Radio and Jungle Talks and supported by Netherlands Agricultural Network. Following the radio shows, all ‘Jungle Talks to’ episodes can be downloaded as podcast from Spotify via this link:
https://bit.ly/JungleTalksPodcast

Webinar 'tapping into Mexico's ornamental horticultural industry' on 14 September 

FloraCulture International magazine, supported by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), invites all those in the ornamental horticulture supply chain to discuss the possibilities in Mexico’s ornamental horticulture industry. The session will take place on 14 September 2021 from 4 pm to 5.30 pm Dutch time. 

Mexico is the second-largest economy in Latin America. The country has a population of nearly 130 million, many of which love flowers. The Mexican society has deep roots in floral tradition, which explains why the nation boasts a sizeable home production of young plants, cut flowers, houseplants, annuals, perennials, and nursery stock products. Enrique Arias Velazco is President of Ornamental Plants & Flowers (OPF), the nation’s premier horticultural trade show which made its debut in September 2019. 

He explains, “In Mexico, daily life cannot be conceived without plants and flowers, they are part of our language. We celebrate the milestones of life and death with flowers, as in the Day of the Dead, so as you can see, our relationship with flowers is strong.” 

FCI’s forthcoming webinar shares more or less the same objective: putting ornamental horticulture in Mexico on the world map and helping horticultural entrepreneurs generate new sales for their company by exploring the Mexican market and gaining market insights. Mexico will put itself forward as a horticultural powerhouse with world-class, high-quality, sustainable flowers and plants; a benign climate and good soils; counter- seasonal supply opportunities; a young, skilled, and dynamic workforce; and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Plus, the direct vicinity of large consumer markets in the USA and Canada makes Mexico ideal for the horticultural industry. 

Our line-up of speakers are experts on local and international ornamental horticulture and will talk about the realities of the Mexican market. They will touch on many introductory topics such as breeders’ rights, and how the Covid-effect is driving the rise of e-commerce. Speakers include: Mr. Federico Martinez, Consejo Mexicano de la Flor; Mr. Santiago Arguello of the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Claudia Lee, Akiko, and Mr. Marco Heijnen, Floricultura.

The webinar is facilitated by experienced webinar organiser Jungle Talks and sponsored by Floricultura. Registration is free of charge, you can register here. 

Presenting the 1st Global Orchid Event! 

Global Orchid Growers* (GOG) proudly invite you for the first virtual Global Orchid Event. Organized by 10 leading Phalaenopsis producers representing 7 countries and 5 continents, the event will take place on July 8, 2021 from 15.30 until 17.30 CEST . The Global Orchid Event is being facilitated by Jungle Talks.

We kindly invite peer producers, breeders, propagators and other interested professionals from the floricultural sector and beyond to discuss the latest trends and developments. The floricultural press and media will also be present and available to you to pitch and share your ideas and challenges.

The Event will kick off with a keynote presentation of Ruud Koornstra (coordinator SDG 7 alliance) about the energy transition followed by 4 parallel sessions to be presented to you by two outstanding experts for each theme:

• Autonomous Growth
  - Simone Keijzer, founder and CEO of Gearbox Innovations
  - Frans Peter Dechering, co-founder Corvus Drones
  Moderated by Ronald Hoek, CEO and co-founder Blue Radix
• Lighting
  - Menno Gobielje, plant specialist floriculture at Signify
  - Arno Wartewig, founder and owner of Orance
  Moderated by Bart van Meurs, leading technical innovation projects  in horticulture
• International Branding 
  - Jasper Claus, founder and creative director at 1Camera
  - Marta Maria Garcia, retail director at Dümmen Orange (tbc)
  Moderated by Renee Snijders, founder and director at Jungle Talks
• Future Business Models
  - Nick Houshower, principal at private equity fund Equilibrium
  - Lennard Toma, sparking wisdom at KeytoeY
  Moderated by Ed Smit, founder and director at Jungle Talks

Program

Participation to this event costs 250 Euro and allows participants to log in with 4 different devices, so that all parallel sessions can be followed.
Please register before July 7 via this link: http://bit.ly/GlobalOrchidEvent, Only registered participants will receive a password to enter the event on July 8.

* The Global Orchid Growers is an international group of Phalaenopsis growers that regularly share knowledge and experience and meet once a year on a different continent.
The group consists of the following renowned Phalaenopsis producers: Ter Laak Orchids, OK Plant, Piko Plant, Gartneriet Rønbæk A/S, Ocean Orchids, LVG Plants, Westerlay Orchids, CosMic Plants, Ecoflora, Royal Base Group.

Jungle Talks to Egypt 
Thursday 1 July and Thursday 8 July (16.00 – 17.00 hrs CEST)

‘’Jungle Talks to the World’’ travels for the first time to North Africa. Following episodes on horticulture in Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa and Uganda, the spotlight is now put on Egypt. Egypt is the land of pharao’s, the river Nile and deserts. The river Nile is the lifeblood of the country and birthplace of its unique, ancient civilization. Besides, it’s also the most important reason that the country is an important horticultural player in the region.

Melle Leenstra, the Dutch Agricultural Counsellor based in Cairo will discuss the recent developments in the horticultural sector in Egypt. Subsequently, Gert-Jan Krook and Tarek El Said (Rijk Zwaan Egypt), Engy El Arnaouti (Bio Egypt) and Mohamed Elbassioni (Flora Mix Egypt) will share more on the current situation and future outlook of the production of greenhouse vegetables and floricultural products.

Themes to be discussed during these upcoming episodes are among others the opportunities and challenges regarding water usage, the newly implemented ‘organic law’ and of course how investors, importers or exporters of knowledge and technology can benefit most of the enormous domestic market and the opportunities this country, home to 104 million people, offers towards the export of horticultural products.

On Thursday July 1, 16.00 hrs CEST the four guests to the show will introduce themselves and discuss the current situation in horticulture in Egypt. One week later they will discuss the themes mentioned above.
If you’re interested to know more about Egypt, do not miss this episode of Jungle Talks to the World. In 2 hours you’ll get a good overview of the current situation in horticulture and what the future will look like in the next couple of years. Tune in on Thursday July 1 and July 8 at 16.00 hrs CEST via www.paprikatastyradio.nl.  

‘Jungle Talks to Egypt’ is powered by Paprika Tasty Radio and Jungle Talks and supported by Netherlands Agricultural Network. Following the radio shows, all ‘Jungle Talks to’ episodes can be downloaded as podcast from Spotify via this link:
https://bit.ly/JungleTalksPodcast

After the episode on July 8, Jungle Talks to the World will take a summer break and returns on September 2, featuring “Jungle Talks to Turkey”. We wish you a great holiday and hope you’ll tune in this Thursday at 16.00 hrs CEST!

Jungle Talks to Colombia                                                                                                                 
Thursday 17 June & Thursday 24 June 2021 (16.00 – 17.00 hrs CEST)

‘’Jungle Talks to the World’’ returns to Latin America, after Vietnam, Uganda and Japan and visits Colombia this week and the next. Horticulture is everywhere and so are opportunities in this sector. Colombia however, is a leading player. The country is the second biggest producer of cut flowers in the world and accounts for some 75% of cut flower consumption in North America. What’s the secret of Colombia’s success and what does the future bring to this horticultural hot spot?

Consolidation is the name of the game in Colombia. In 2014 there was only one company with 1000 ha of greenhouses, now there are four. Those companies control the chain (except for the retail), a situation that is unimaginable in a country like the Netherlands, but a reality in Colombia. What can we learn from the Colombians?

Furthermore, what else is happening in Colombia besides cut flower production? Is vegetable production in greenhouses already gaining momentum? And if so, what opportunities does this bring along? And what about sustainability in Colombian horticulture? And not to forget, what are the latest developments in the field of logistics. Air freight is very well developed, but sea freight is strongly on the rise. What can we learn from that and what opportunities can be identified in this sector?

Agricultural Counsellor in Bogota, Patricia de Vries – van Loon, will share her vision on Colombia followed by entrepreneurs Alejandro Saenz (Saenz Fety), Sofia Herrera (Jardines de los Andes) and Willum van den Hoogen (Florius International). They will put the spotlight on a fascinating, but complex country. Colombia has many faces and offers great opportunities.  

On Thursday June 17, at 16.00 hrs the fours guests to the show will introduce themselves and discuss the current situation in horticulture in Colombia. One week later they will discuss four relevant themes that are important for the future of the sector in this Latin American country.

If you’re interested to know more about Colombia, do not miss this episode of Jungle Talks to the World. In 2 hours you’ll get a good overview of the current situation in horticulture and what the future will look like in the next couple of years. Tune in on Thursday 17 and 24 June at 16.00 hrs via www.paprikatastyradio.nl.  

‘Jungle Talks to Colombia’ is powered by Paprika Tasty Radio and Jungle Talks and supported by Netherlands Agricultural Network. Following the radio shows, all ‘Jungle Talks to’ episodes can be downloaded as podcast from Spotify via this link:
https://bit.ly/JungleTalksPodcast

Jungle Talks to Vietnam                                                                                                                   
6 May and 13 May 2021 (16.00 – 17.00 CET)

In the past year radio program “Jungle Talks to the World” has been putting the spotlight on horticultural developments around the world. This year, from May 6 onwards, it will continue with brand new episodes in English, discussing what’s going on in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) in 15 different countries. Vietnam is up first, an up and coming ‘Asian Tiger’ and a country that, also in horticulture, is putting itself on the map.

Agricultural Counsellor Willem Schoustra, along with Gerrit Bulk (general manager BeJo Vietnam), Hoshi Lin and Robert Wang (general manager en marketing manager at Royal Base / Apollo Farms) and Rene van Rensen (R&D Director Fresh Studio) will take the audience on an inspiring horticultural journey to a fascinating country.

Certain regions in Vietnam, especially Dalat, possess a great natural climate for the production of fresh produce. Labor costs are also attractive and labor quality is excellent. These factors among others, have stimulated the expansion of CEA in the past couple of years.  

On May 6, 16.00 hrs CET Ed Smit will introduce the four guests and the companies/organizations they represent. One week later, again from 16.00 hrs CET onwards, they’ll discuss four relevant themes that will give you important insights in Vietnam’s current situation and future outlook.

If you are interested in Vietnam, being a (technical) supplier, investor, consultant, trader, teacher or student, don’t miss these programs on May 6 and May 13 to get value insider insights in this fast developing country.

‘Jungle Talks to Vietnam’ is powered by Paprika Tasty Radio and Jungle Talks and supported by Netherlands Enterprise Agency. Following previous shows in Dutch, the program now continues in English and will also be made available as podcast. In addition, the shows will be offered to foreign radio stations as syndicate radio.

Tune in on Thursday May 6 and May 13 via www.paprikatastyradio.nl at 16.00 hrs CET.   

Webinar to address horticultural industry peat use and developing Sustainable Growing Media - May 18

FloraCulture International (FCI) magazine, supported by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), invites all those in the ornamental horticulture supply chain to discuss the path towards sustainable growing media.

The use of peat in horticulture is increasingly challenged by governments and NGOs around the world as part of the battle against climate change. The horticulture industry requires good quality, consistent growing media that is available at a good price. For many years peat has ticked these boxes while at the same time growing media producers and researchers have been investigating alternatives.

Find out what the global industry thinks and join in the conversation on 18 May in the ‘Sustainable Growing Media’ webinar from 3pm to 4.30pm CEST.
Register, free-of-charge today http://bit.ly/GrowingMedia.

The webinar will begin with a presentation from Mr Marko Pomerants, President of International Peatland Society (IPS), who will provide the current global perspective on the use of peat in horticulture and what IPS is doing to support and address sustainability concerns.

This will be followed by a presentation from Ms Cecilia Luetgebrune of Growing Media Europe who will discuss how growing media suppliers are tackling the issue of sustainability. She will explain more about the barriers to change and how these are being overcome in different countries.

Ms Catherine Dawson of Melcourt Industries Ltd, UK, will discuss the establishment of the Sustainable Growing Media Sourcing scheme in the UK and how the supply chain is achieving sustainability against the backdrop of strong environmental lobbies.

There will also be a panel session with Mr Moritz Bőcking of Klassmann Deilmann, Mr Hein Boon of RHP and Mr Jan de Smet, director of Forteco, part of the Van der Knaap Group. Webinar participants will be able to pose their questions and join the debate.

Facilitated by experienced webinar organiser Jungle Talks, the webinar is supported by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH).

The 1st International Horti Quiz is a fact! 

Jungle Talks  is teaming up with Quiz Brothers and presents a new, entertaining event for anyone interested in horticulture; the International Horti Quiz.

On 24 March 2021, from 20.00 – 22.00 CET, the first International Horti Quiz will take place. Meiny Prins, CEO of Priva and the driving force behind the Sustainable Urban Delta, will do the official kick off.

This first quiz is about the fundament of sustainable production; Soil, Substrates and Seeds. These themes will be hosted by Koppert Biological Systems, Grodan and Seed Valley respectively. The quiz will also contain two rounds with general questions.

After the quiz, participants can join one of the three breakout rooms to learn more about the aforementioned themes to get in touch with specialists working at the sponsor companies.

Each team will have one team captain who can invite 4 more (groups of) people to join his team. The invitation that will be sent to the captain, can be shared by him / her on 4 more devices. Young and old, specialists and generalists, beginners and professionals, everybody is welcome. Prizes can be won but, the winners will be selected randomly.

Ed Smit, and Renee Snijders of Jungle Talks: “We invite anyone with an interest in horticulture. The International Horti Quiz will provide insights and knowledge yet in a fun and entertaining way. Participation to this quiz is and will remain to be free of charge. A voluntary contribution to a good cause, to be announced during the quiz, will however be appreciated’’.

Teams can register for the International Horti Quiz via the site.

Understanding and developing ornamental horticulture in China

Join a free webinar on Tuesday 23 February 2021 at 2pm (CET) to take the pulse of what is happening within China’s ornamental horticulture industry. FloraCulture International (FCI) magazine, supported by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), invites ornamental growers and traders worldwide to learn about the Chinese flowers industry. You can register for this session here: https://bit.ly/HorticultureinChina

There will be five presenters for the ‘Understanding and developing ornamental horticulture in China’ webinar who are all key stakeholders ready to illuminate in abundance the opportunities and challenges in this country’s market.

China’s development in recent decades has been truly remarkable. The future continues to look bright, although last year’s signs of growth are briefly moderating due to the severe impact of Covid-19 in the industry. However, production levels in China are near to standard levels. Currently, China and other Asia Pacific regions are showing hopeful signs of recovery. The economic upturn is coming, and the best proof is skyrocketing shipping costs with people willing to pay exorbitant prices for products sent from China to Europe.

Programme

•            Introduction

•            A comprehensive overview of ornamental horticulture in China

•            Round table discussion

•            Q&A session

•            Conclusion and closure

Speakers

Mr Wouter Verhey, the Agricultural Counsellor at the Dutch Embassy in Beijing. He will discuss the state of China’s ornamentals sector while reflecting on the impact from, and responses to, the coronavirus pandemic.

Ms Julienne Zhu will represent the Nursery Stock section of the China Flower Association (CFA), the industry’s most potent voice. She will highlight the challenges and opportunities of nursery stock products in the People’s Republic of China and the change and progress this fast-growing sector experienced over the past few decades.

Ms Katherine Fan Young is the sales manager at Dutch-based Holex, which is arguably among the big players in exporting flowers from the Netherlands to China. Katherine will detail how Holex’s wholly-owned Shanghai office today serves as an important logistics hub where flowers sourced worldwide come together to sell to Chinese shoppers who are always looking for new and niche products.    

Mr Just Roos will speak on behalf of horticultural engineering company Codema Cultivation Systems from the Netherlands. This company leads the way in supporting ornamentals and fresh produce growers with the right technology. Codema opened its Beijing branch in November 2019 to be closer to their Chinese customers. One of them is AiBiDa for which Codema fits a mega rose farm in Lanzhou with state-of-the-art greenhouse technology.

Finally, Mr Arnoud Touw. He is ICL Specialty Fertilisers’ Business Lead in Asia for Turf and Ornamental. He will explain why its iconic fertiliser brands Osmocote and Peter Professional are gaining momentum with Chinese growers working with containerised nursery stock and potted plants.

Exploring the world below our feet with John Kempf and Jill Clapperton

Today the engaging presentations of John Kempf and Jill Clapperton led to a flood of questions and lively discussion on soil health and the future of food production, both for field crops and vegetables grown in protected environments. 
If you missed the live session, please watch the recording here: http://bit.ly/RECPlantsforLifesession2

Upcoming session in series on plant health puts the spotlight on the soil 
To mark the Year of Plant Health, Koppert Biological Systems initiated the webinar series ‘Plants for Life, Plants to survive’ in December that highlights the importance of plant health and how it connects to human health.

After the kickoff session, ‘A healthy plant feeds healthy people’, that took place on December 22, the upcoming 2^nd session will focus on soil health.
When we walk on the ground, we are really walking on the roof top of another world. The amount of living organisms below ground is considered to be far greater than that above ground. Together with climate, these organisms are responsible for the decay of organic matter and cycling of both macro- and micro-nutrients back into forms that plants can use. Healthy soil means healthy food and in the end healthy animals and people. Two internationally renowned experts will dive into the world below our feet and share their knowledge and experience with the audience.

Jill Clapperton is the Principal Scientist, founder and owner of Rhizoterra Inc. and a well-known international lecturer and advocate for practices that promote soil health. She has been focused on the connection between healthy soils, healthy food and healthy people for the last 25 years.

John Kempf is a grower, an entrepreneur, speaker, podcast host and teacher. He founded Advancing Eco Agriculture, Crop Health Labs, Ozadia, and the Regenerative Agriculture Academy and is passionate about the potential of well managed agriculture ecosystems to reverse ecological degradation.

If you want to join this session on February, please register via this link: http://bit.ly/PlantsforLifesession2
Did you miss the kickoff session on December 22? Watch the recording here: https://bit.ly/PlantsforLifesession1

New webinar series had a successful kickoff
The new webinar series 'Plants to survive, plants for life', dedicated to plant health, kicked off successfully on December 22. Mark van der Werf, senior consultant with Koppert Biological Systems and Stijn Baan, marketing director at Koppert Cress inspired the audience with their presentations and by connecting plant health to human health. If you missed the 'live' session, you can register to watch the recording via this link.  The series continues in 2021, keep an eye on our agenda to stay informed! 

International webinar to mark Year of Plant Health

Koppert Biological Systems and CABI present a new webinar series on plant health

To mark the Year of Plant Health, Koppert Biological Systems, in cooperation with CABI, has organized a webinar series that highlights the importance of plant health and how it connects to human health. Inspiring keynote speakers will shine their light on various aspects of plant health and human health and discuss their viewpoints with an online audience of young professionals, scientists, entrepreneurs, activists, creatives, chefs and government reps; in short anyone with a passion for plants and people.

The kickoff session, ‘A healthy plant feeds healthy people’, will take place on Tuesday, December 22, at 16.00 hrs CET. It will feature Stijn Baan - Marketing Director at Koppert Cress and agricultural entrepreneur of the year 2020 in the Netherlands - and Mark van der Werf, senior consultant plant health at Koppert Biological Systems.

International webinar speakers

Koppert Cress is an award-winning horticultural producer and family-owned company in the Netherlands. The company produces freshly-sprouted cresses from 100% natural aromatic plants. In addition to cultivating high quality cresses in a sustainable way, the company’s vision transcends the horticulture sector.
‘Good nutrition is crucial for a healthy life; the production and consumption of fresh, healthy vegetables are inextricably linked to a healthy life and thus healthy humans,’ says Stijn Baan. The company’s Marketing Director is passionate about changing the way people look at food. He represents the next generation as well as a new vision on how that story should be communicated and shared with the rest of the world.

Koppert Biological Systems is an international biocontrol company. Senior Consultant, Mark van der Werf, will elaborate on curative vs. preventative measures and inform the audience about what pest and disease control will look like in the (near) future.                                                                    

‘The way in which we grow crops at the moment makes the plants an ideal food source for a broad range of pests and diseases. Large-scale monocropping continues season after season and makes it even easier for pathogens to build up. The use of pesticides developed to cope with these problems has been restricted and many pests and diseases have become resistant to chemical agents.

We need to change the way we perceive crops and give the plant the tools to fight its own battle through passive and active immunity by working together with microbes in the soil. Once you understand how a plant really works, it’s remarkable what it is capable of,’ says Mark van der Werf.

This webinar series is facilitated by experienced webinar organizer Jungle Talks.

If you want to join the kickoff session on December 22, please register via this link: https://bit.ly/PlantsforLifesession1
More information on this new webinar series can be found on www.koppert.com.

Introducing a webinar in association with FCI, AIPH and FLOWERSEXPO Moscow 

Understanding and developing the Russian flowers market 

Join a free webinar on Tuesday 8 September that will take the pulse of what is happening within the Russian Flowers Industry. FloraCulture International (FCI), the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) and Russia’s premier horticultural trade show FlowersExpo Moscow invite ornamentals growers and traders from around the world to take a look at the Russian flowers industry.

There will be six presenters for the ‘Understanding and developing the Russian flowers market’ webinar who are all key stakeholders ready to illuminate in abundance the opportunities and challenges in this country’s market.

Russia’s development in recent decades has been truly remarkable. The future continues to look bright, although the signs of growth are briefly moderating due to the severe impact of Covid-19 in the industry. In agriculture, there is a growing effort to meet the self-sufficiency challenge, which is having ripple effects on the ornamentals sector.

Qhat will you learn during this webinar?

• In 60 minutes from your desk, discover how to export in Russia.
• Size and characteristics of the Russian flowers market
• Consumer behaviour for premium ornamentals and a rising middle class
• Distribution channels
• Challenges and opportunities for imported flowers
• Competition and collaboration
• Remarks on the export process, phytosanitary procedures and import substitution.

Programme

• Introduction
• A comprehensive overview of the Russian flowers market
• Round table discussion
• Q&A session with the audience
• Conclusions and closure

To attend this free webinar, register your place here. 

Successful webinar 'Supporting growers coming out of the COVID-19 crisis' icw FCI and AIPH

On June 30, Jungle Talks facilitated and presented a webinar on the impact of COVID-19 on the global floricultural sector. Dr. Charlie Hall of Texas A&M University, Toine Overgaag of Westerlay Orchids and Arie van den Berg of Berg Roses shared their experiences. The session attracted a professional audience from more than 50 countries. If you're interested to watch the recording, you can do so via this link: https://bit.ly/RecFCIgrowersevent

Supporting growers coming out of the COVID-19 crisis

FloraCulture International (FCI) is pleased to invite ornamentals growers from around the world to join a free webinar that will help you learn from the experience of others and define the right path for your own business as you recover from the business effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 1.5-hour webinar will take place at 4pm, Central European Summer Time (CEST).

Facilitated by experienced webinar organiser, Jungle Talks, and supported by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), participants can listen to other growers. 
Dr Charlie Hall will open the webinar. He is a professor in the Department of Horticulture and Ellison Chair in International Floriculture, at Texas A&M University, in the USA. He will outline the approach that growers need to take in reviewing their businesses and determining next steps.
Two floricultural growers will follow Charlie; Toine Overgaag from Westerlay Orchids, California, the USA and Arie van den Berg of Berg RoseS with subsidiaries in the Netherlands, Kenya and China. They will share their experiences in handling the crisis and their plans for the future. After the presentations, there is a chance for webinar participants to ask questions and discuss strategies.
If you are interested to register for this session, please do so via this link: https://bit.ly/FCIgrowersevent