There is already enough agricultural land available to feed the entire world. Farmers only need to have access to the right knowledge and means. This is the opinion of agricultural expert Rudy Rabbinge.

Rabbinge makes his statement in RZ Seeds & Services Chainmail, the company magazine of vegetable breeding company Rijk Zwaan. According to Rabbinge, the role of vegetables in solving the problem should most definitely not be underestimated. Through their varieties and crop knowledge, breeding companies like Rijk Zwaan can contribute to a higher yield for growers. Specifically he mentions the activities of RZ Afrisem, where Rijk Zwaan, together with partner East West Seeds, develops vegetable varieties for the African market. “I support that initiative wholeheartedly. The fact that the company has a vested interest in its long-term success enables a genuine and sustainable integration of the activities into the organisation.”

Prof. Dr. Ir. Rudy Rabbinge is professor of sustainable development and food safety at Wageningen University and was a member of the upper house of the Dutch parliament from 1999 to 2007. With extensive national and international experience and having published more than 200 scientific articles, he is regarded as a thought-leader in the field of agriculture and development cooperation.