This collaborative initiative marks towards developing sustainable and resource-efficient crop cultivation practices in Bangladesh’s horticultural sector
Photo: Courtesy
“>
Photo: Courtesy
The Greenhouse Impact Cluster project, a groundbreaking public-private partnership between the Netherlands and Bangladesh, was officially launched during the BIDA Investment Summit in Dhaka and the Best of Bangladesh event in Amsterdam.
This collaborative initiative marks towards developing sustainable and resource-efficient crop cultivation practices in Bangladesh’s horticultural sector, reads a press release.
Photo: Courtesy
“>
Photo: Courtesy
At the core of the project is the development of a mid-tech demonstration greenhouse, supplemented by a training programme in Bangladesh.
The facility, to be established this year at the ACI R&D Centre in Mawna – approximately 60 km north of Dhaka – will serve both as a training as well as a demonstration centre showcasing sustainable food practices.
A strong public-private partnership
This collaboration brings together expertise from leading Dutch and Bangladeshi organisations – a close collaboration between both nations.
From the Netherlands, the consortium includes AgrowSer VDH Foliekassen BV, Hoogendoorn Growth Management BV, Bayer | De Ruiter Seeds BV, Koppert Biological Systems BV, Lentiz, and Dutch Greenhouse Delta (DGD), who also serves as the project coordinator.
Their Bangladeshi counterparts in this initiative are Advanced Chemical Industries (ACI) and Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU), the latter acting as the local knowledge partner.
The project receives funding and strategic support from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Dhaka.
A symbolic start with global commitment
The project was officially introduced in Bangladesh during a kickoff session at the BIDA Investment Summit on 10 April, in the presence of Dr Mohammad Ullah Mian, secretary, Ministry of Agriculture (Bangladesh), Ambassador Andre Carstens, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh, Dr FH Ansarey, president, ACI Agribusiness and Sara van Hoeve, senior policy officer – Economic Affairs & Private Sector Development, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh.
Following the project kickoff in Dhaka, it was officially introduced in the Netherlands at the Best of Bangladesh event on 18 April in Amsterdam, in the presence of Tareque Muhammad, ambassador of Bangladesh in the Netherlands, and representatives of the project partners involved.
During this symbolic launch, all partners reaffirmed their commitment to the project by placing their logos around the map of Bangladesh – a gesture celebrating the strength of international collaboration in advancing sustainable agriculture.
Driving impactful entrepreneurship in emerging markets
The Impact Cluster is part of the Dutch government’s multi-year sectoral approach known as the combi-track, which supports impactful entrepreneurship in emerging markets. Through the Impact Clusters subsidy programme, tangible projects are developed to foster sustainable private sector development.
Bangladesh, with its fertile delta and a growing demand for food, faces pressing challenges such as urbanisation, climate change, and food security. The Impact Cluster responds to these by focusing on protected horticulture, aiming to strengthen food systems, reduce waste, and enhance export potential.
The demonstration greenhouse is expected to be completed later this year, with training and knowledge exchange activities commencing shortly thereafter.