How we can promote sustainable water use in the agrifood sector

Water is essential for the agrifood sector, but due to climate change, regulations, and societal expectations, water use is under significant pressure. Invest-NL has therefore conducted a survey into bottlenecks and solutions for water management in the agrifood sector. The whitepaper, developed in collaboration with Royal HaskoningDHV, provides insight into the key challenges and opportunities related to water use in the agrifood sector.

The agri-food sector is highly dependent on water for crop growth, food production, and waste management. Climate change and stricter regulations, such as the Water Framework Directive, are making water use increasingly challenging. Companies face shortages, rising costs, and complex requirements regarding water quality.

To gain insight into the problems and opportunities, Invest-NL and Royal HaskoningDHV, through discussions with stakeholders from the sector, mapped out the current situation and practical solutions. The white paper Water management in the agri-food sector shows that smart technologies, such as water reuse and precision agriculture, are effective ways to reduce waste and enable more efficient water use. Additionally, the white paper highlights the importance of collaboration between companies, investors, and governments to realise the transition towards sustainable water management.

With this white paper, Invest-NL aims to inspire entrepreneurs and financiers to work together towards a future-proof agri-food sector, in which water plays a central role. It demonstrates that we must act now to secure the future of this essential sector.