The Netherlands, a small country in Europe, plays a crucial role in preventing a global food crisis. Despite its size being much smaller than the United States or Russia, the Netherlands supplies food to the entire world. This tiny nation holds immense economic importance due to its highly advanced agriculture sector.
While the United States is 270 times larger than the Netherlands, and Russia is a whopping 417 times bigger, the Netherlands punches well above its weight. Surprisingly, many of the people engaged in farming in this country are among the world’s wealthiest individuals. This starkly contrasts with the situation in many developing countries, where agricultural workers often live in poverty. The Netherlands owes its remarkable wealth to its thriving agriculture sector.
With a per capita income of $63,370, the Netherlands proudly stands as the world’s fifth-richest country. They export staple foods like potatoes and onions to numerous nations. It’s interesting to note that the soil in Bangladesh is far more fertile than that of the Netherlands. Yet, the Netherlands surpasses Bangladesh in agriculture.
The Netherlands continuously enhances its agriculture sector through innovative technologies. They wisely divide their cropland into various sections to cultivate different crops. Keeping the same crop on the same soil for an extended period can deplete soil fertility. This is why they rotate crops. For instance, during the winter season, they grow maize on one section and beans on another. Additionally, the Netherlands embraces greenhouse technology, and the use of drones and robots in farming has brought them prosperity.
Their unique approach to farming, known as vertical farming, employs LED lights for heat and enables the cultivation of a variety of crops. They have gained a strong reputation for producing crops without harmful chemicals. People from all around the world are flocking to universities in the Netherlands to study agriculture.
