Now in its third year, the BEATLES Co-Creation Workshop (CCW) in the Netherlands has brought together farmers, traders, advisors, and certification bodies to push forward sustainable and fair business practices in the Dutch potato sector.
As the Netherlands continues to lead in potato production and exports, the sector is facing new challenges and opportunities. With herbicides like Sencor and Gofor set to be phased out in 2026, stakeholders explored mechanical weed control innovations and disease-resistant potato varieties that reduce chemical inputs.
The workshop focused on validating practical models for fair business practices and sustainability, aiming to support the wider adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA). Participants evaluated models such as “Pay for Success,” “Retail Choice Editing,” and a “Risk Sharing Fund,” weighing their relevance, feasibility, and implementation challenges.
Participants stressed the need for broader value chain collaboration—especially on risk sharing and fair compensation. Environmental concerns were top of mind, but economic viability and social fairness were also seen as critical for successful long-term adoption of CSA.
As the sector prepares for future regulatory shifts, this third CCW reinforced a clear message: building a resilient and fair food system demands shared effort and transparency across the entire supply chain.
