V.O.C. Glasshouse horticulture
Description
The most sustainable greenhouse horticulture area in the Netherlands is emerging in the Kanaalzone Terneuzen. Artificial fertiliser plant Yara supplies the area with heat and CO2.
The Smitsschorrepolder, the Autrichepolder and the Koegorspolder will eventually be home to 250 hectares of net glass, employing 1,200 people.
During the decision-making process for the creation of the greenhouse horticultural area, Terneuzen municipal council stipulated that 25% of these 1,200 people should be people from the region with a distance to the labour market. To realise this, a large number of parties on both sides of the border have taken the initiative to create the Information and Training Centre (V.O.C.) for Glasshouse Horticulture.
With the support of these parties and the European Regional Development Fund, construction started at the end of April 2008 and was completed at the end of December 2008. Construction and operation is in the hands of Reintegration Company Dethon. In 2009, 85 trainees were trained for a job in greenhouse horticulture. Meanwhile, 53 people from the region with a distance to the labour market have found a job thanks to the unique cooperation between the Werk Service Punt and the V.O.C.
Tomatoes are grown in the V.O.C. in the Smitsschorrepolder, which find their way to the European market via a growers' association.
Something unique is being created in the polders near Westdorpe that we would like to inform you about
Location
Information and Training Centre
for greenhouse horticulture in Westdorpe
Organiser
Zeeland region
Name and contact details for information
Ing. V. (Vincent) Calon