Crops and team spirit are growing rapidly at Hazera Warmenhuizen
Posted on Sep 17, 2024
“The demo fields are a great representation of what we have achieved as a team over the past period, and the challenges we have overcome” says Joost Botman, field team leader at Hazera in Warmenhuizen. He shares insights into his work, the crops in the demo fields, and the International Open Days on September 24-25-26.
“It is rewarding to work outside and see actual results of your work at the end of the day” Joost shares. “These results depend on various factors, including weather conditions. It is a proud feeling when we, as a team manage to achieve the desired results, despite these challenges. This year for example, we managed to develop a diverse and healthy demo field, even after a very wet spring.”
Versatility in the field
Joost highlights key features of the demo field for the open days: “Hazera’s diverse cabbage range for all segments will be on display. We also managed to grow radishes on clay soil, which was a unique challenge. We thought: let’s just give it a try. And it worked!” The extensive crop selection, especially for cabbage, makes sense for Joost. “Warmenhuizen is the cabbage hub of the Netherlands. You can see the region’s expertise reflected in our team.” In addition, Hazera is part of a larger organization, Limagrain Group. “That means we work with lots of different crops and varieties as well, adding lots of variation to the job.”
Strong team, strong results
What Joost enjoys most about his job is the strong team spirit. Within the field crew, and within Hazera as a whole. “We are really in it together, working towards a common goal. There’s a lot of expertise among our people, the atmosphere is warm and pleasant, and we work in a great location. The demo field is proof that this combination can lead to excellent results.”
Curious about the work of Joost and his field team? Visit the Open Days in Warmenhuizen on September 24-25-26. For more information, check: www.hazera.com/opendays
Explore Hazera’s latest product range and visit our International Open Days 2024 in week 39, the Netherlands ‘Connect your senses’
Posted on Sep 13, 2024
Growers and industry partners are warmly welcomed to Hazera’s large demo field. Here you can find the complete range of field vegetables, including those of our sister companies Vilmorin and HM.Clause. The tent also shows the top varieties in various fruit vegetables. On the field, our product managers and cultivation specialists will be happy to update you on our latest developments. It is the place to exchange experiences with professionals from more than 50 countries and to see automatic planting and harvesting demonstrations.
The highlights at a glance:
Onion – High yield, high quality!
Hazera is an important supplier of hard onions for storage. In the field you will find the new top varieties 37-136, Nico, Storo, Rondo & Prospero, the long day segment with an very strong bulb, storage quality and a high yield potential.
Successful leek portfolio
Our yield increaser Vigora is central to our leek field: a flexible variety, well adapted to stressful conditions. Suitable for the fresh market and very strong performance for processing. Also special attention for Signora: a leek variety with a very strong disease resistance package. In addition to these 2 new commercial varieties, we also show you our newest varieties in development.
Brassicas – Reliable quality in a changing environment
Our environment and consumer preferences are constantly changing and Hazera breeding offers solutions for these diverse market needs with our new and established varieties! Take a look at white cabbage 17-1856: a promising versatile cabbage for summer and early autumn production. Suitable for short storage and strong against thrips. We also present you 14-712. A new and excellent Savoy cabbage. The combination of FoC and Xcc resistance makes this variety unique. With very dark green blister heads. Pointed cabbage Earl is also a cabbage that deserves attention: a very uniform, high-yielding summer variety. The new cauliflower varieties 10-1283 for the fresh market and Icerok for the industry are also in the field; a rock-hard cauliflower for the production of florets.
Four new varieties can be seen in the broccoli. This makes it possible to significantly improve the harvest percentages. The very early variety First Lap is strong against cat’s eyes and is widely available. HMC35536 is for the summer and early autumn and is also in the ring trials this year. In addition, growers can get to know Hyb9376 and a new calebrini variety (Hyb0857) for stem broccoli.
Radish
Special attention is also given to our extensive radish range. Including of course the winner of the Albert Heijn grocery store consumer best product of the year winner: Purpella & Whitella. But also newcomer 34-569: a red new round hybrid for indoor cultivation. With a firm, pure white interior for both bunch and pre-packaging, Radish Pepito and Resito will be two of our recommended radishes.
Tomatoes that work for you
Hazera also presents the ToBRFV-resistant tomato varieties in the tent. Such as the snack tomatoes Pendragon and Windsor: both with a long shelf life, a crunchy bite and a high yield potential. Both varieties are suitable for high-tech growing conditions or mid-tech greenhouses.
Watermelons – top quality
Meet our mini seedless watermelon Exotica. This variety was presented as part of the assortment during the Fruit Logistica Innovation 2024: Exotica is a handy size seedless mini watermelon, with a long shelf life, traditional taste and a great color & crunchiness.
Cucumber
Hazera has a long tradition in cucumber breeding. As one of the first companies in the world to develop short cucumbers, we are busy innovating, improving and gradually expanding to more cucumber varieties, such as the long Dutch cucumbers & baby cucumbers. During these open days we put our baby cucumbers in the spotlight.
And not to forget; our (lamb’s) lettuce, (curly)endive, fennel, celery & carrots…
There is plenty of attention for the leafy vegetables with an extensive range of iceberg lettuce, butterhead lettuce and romaine lettuce and (curly) endive. There is also an extensive range of lamb’s lettuce (in which the different leaf shapes can be compared with the main variety Audace). In the carrots, the focus is on Northern Europe. Here are the varieties for the deep-freeze industry, the large carrots for cutting, the baby carrots and the storage carrots (Nantes and Berlicum). There are also new zucchini varieties to be seen in the field.
In short, plenty to see and experience. “Connect your senses” on our demo field. We are happy to welcome you and to show you around and tell you about our wide range of varieties.
Event Details:
Dates: 24-25-26 September 2024, every day from 10.00-17.00
Location: Kanaalweg 16 Warmenhuizen, the Netherlands
More information: www.hazera.com/opendays
Empowering Ethiopian farmers – a successful collaboration between Hazera, JDC and Greenlife
Posted on Sep 12, 2024
Hazera seeds, together with JDC, the global Jewish humanitarian organization, and its local representative Greenlife, has launched a two-year pilot program in Ethiopia. The project is part of TOV (‘Tikkun Olam Ventures’), JDC’s agricultural development project, that implements innovative agricultural technology (AgTech) to support and advance the businesses of smallholder farmers in developing countries, who currently use traditional farming methods.
Building on JCD’s decades-long and worldwide experience in collaborating with partners and companies such as Hazera, this program has been initiated to aid Ethiopia’s millions of smallholder farmers in increasing their crop yield with the help of AgTech.
Providing the foundation for success
The program started with seven demonstration sites, collaborating with local unions, MOAs and agricultural suppliers. Already in its second year, this collaboration has expanded to dozens of demo sites in targeted areas such as SNNPR, Amhara, and North Shewa to support hundreds of farmers growing tomatoes, onions, and peppers with the use of Israeli drip irrigation and fertilization systems. This technical support leads to enhanced productivity and better lives among the farmers, their families, and wider communities.
Local farmers unions and agribusinesses will also help the farmers get fair prices for their produce in previously untapped markets. TOV successfully managed to create a “Revolving Fund” model, which encourages the unions to adopt directed skillset and gives them the ability to purchase the seeds independently.
Hybrid seeds for a better yield
To achieve success, the JDC and Greenlife teams transfer the cultivational practices and knowledge needed to grow modern hybrid vegetables, with Hazera providing the hybrid seeds suited for the local growing conditions in Ethiopia. The goal of the program is to reach thousands of Ethiopian farmers over the next years.
One of these farmers is Mussa Jemal of Gurage. He shared that “Before partnering with the Greenlife and JDC, I planted local OPV vegetable crops, but since joining the project, I have access to Hazera’s hybrid vegetable seeds and seedlings, including Tomato Galilea, Hot Pepper Serenade Explorer and Onion Russet.”
“On top of these hybrid resources, the project also offers regular technical advice and extension services,” Jemal continued, “I’ve gained knowledge and skills to produce better quality yields by following the recommended agronomic practices and production protocols.”
Jemal proudly noted that based on the crop’s performance in the field, he anticipates a better yield this season.
The power of knowledge
Farmer Awgechew Betere, from Menjar Shenkora of Amhara, describes the importance of the knowledge transfer of the program and how it has helped his business.
“I’m getting regular technical support and extension advice on improving agronomic practices,” he said. “This includes irrigation, monitoring diseases and pests, fertigation, the application of pesticides and staking methods.”
Betere added that “all of this has improved my knowledge and skills in vegetable production. Thanks to the program, I’m sure I will get a better yield and income from the production. Furthermore, many of my neighbors have visited my farm and were motivated to produce hybrid vegetable crops as well next season!”
A fruitful collaboration
“As a leading seeds company in Africa and particularly in Ethiopia, we harness our strength and product portfolio for the good of this enterprise,” said Haggai Breslauer, the Sales Manager for Africa at Hazera. “Supported by our vast experience, we strongly believe that the combination of our added value of higher quality yield and the ability to compete with the challenging growing conditions brings significant advantages to the growers and their communities. This collaboration bears fruits of success, and we are proud to be part of this project!”
On September 24–26, Hazera will host its annual International Open Days in Warmenhuizen, where you will have the opportunity to explore our crop varieties up close and also get an inside look at the breeding process behind these varieties directly from Manu Parmar, our Global Breeding Lead for Cabbage.
Manu Parmar has been working with Hazera for the past few months and he is based in Warmenhuizen. He lives in Haarlem with his wife and two daughters. He was born and brought up in New Delhi, India. His father is a soil scientist, which motivated Manu to pursue an education in the field of agricultural sciences. He did his PhD in vegetable crops with a specialization in Breeding from Punjab Agricultural University. He has 18 years of experience in breeding various vegetable crops and back in India, he was a cabbage breeder.
What is a common myth about your job or field of expertise?
“I think a common myth about working as a plant breeder in a seed company is that the job is mostly about working in the fields and greenhouses. While fieldwork is certainly a part of the job, plant breeders often spend a significant amount of time in the office conducting data analysis, planning breeding programs, and managing projects.” Manu thinks for a second then continues saying that “another myth is that plant breeders are solely responsible for all aspects of the breeding process. But in reality, they often work as part of a larger team that includes research associates, lab technicians, and other specialists. This collaborative environment helps to streamline the breeding process and incorporate various expertise.”
In your opinion, what is the most important personality trait someone should have to work in your industry?
“One of the most important strengths for a plant breeder is strong analytical skills. This involves the ability to capture plant traits, interpret complex data and make informed decisions based on genetic, environmental, and experimental data. Collaboration and communication skills are important to be able to work across cross functional teams of genetics and lab scientists to bring innovation, speed and agility to the breeding program.”
Tell us about a project you’re proud of and why.
“I am proud to be part of the brassica breeding team and it is part of the heritage of Hazera. It started with developing varieties for Western Europe, but today we are a global player with a wide assortment of specific varieties. Pointed cabbage is our specialty with varieties like Dutchman, Regency and Marshal, and Berlenga for western Europe and Mediterranean markets.”
What does “Hazera- Growing Together” mean to you?
“For me Growing together means that the Hazera team believes in working through challenges, just like increasing world population, pandemics, regional conflicts, reduction of arable land, and climate change, and is determined to develop superior varieties and achieve food security.”
Tell us something about you that most people don’t know.
“In India, we drive on the left side, so it was quite an adjustment for me to learn how to write on the right side when I came to the Netherlands.”
Do you want to stay connected with our Hazera people?
Follow us on our social media channels to stay connected with our Hazera people! If you have any questions left, don’t hesitate to ask them via our contact page!
