New research greenhouse to help fruit sector tackle climate challenges
Flanders and the province of Limburg have invested 1.7 million euros in the provincial research centre pcfruit in Velm. A brand-new research greenhouse has been commissioned, which will be used to conduct state-of-the-art research into crop protection in fruit growing.
“These investments are crucial to enabling us to continue fulfilling our role as a research centre,” explained pcfruit director Danny Bylemans. “We need to offer growers today solutions for the challenges of tomorrow. Think of climate adaptation, sustainable crop protection and new cultivation systems. Thanks to this support, we can carry out research in conditions that closely mirror real-world practice, which significantly increases the relevance of our results.”
Efforts were not only focused on the renovation and expansion of the research greenhouse, but also on installing canopies for cherries, hail nets for stone fruit, expanding the strawberry tray field, installing new substrate cultivation systems (Mini-Air), realising an innovative agrivoltaic setup and replacing a plant growth chamber.
For the realisation of this project, pcfruit vzw is receiving a 50 per cent grant from the Flemish Agricultural Investment Fund (VLIF). The Province of Limburg has also committed to the project by awarding a grant of 750,000 euros to pcfruit. With this substantial financial support, the province aims to equip the Limburg fruit sector to face the challenges of tomorrow, including climate change, the increasing pressure from pests and diseases, and the need for sustainable and innovative cultivation systems.
#FlandersNewsService | Illustration © BELGA PHOTO JONAS D'HOLLANDER
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