Minister Wiersma visits test location De Marke where NXTGEN innovations are also in action
Minister Wiersma visited the Agro Innovation Centre De Marke together with the Parliamentary Committee for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature. This site is an important centre for research in dairy farming and one of the test locations within NXTGEN Hightech Agrifood. During the visit, attention was given to sensor technologies, sustainable management practices and the Markemodel, a rewards system for sustainable performance. The visit led to a valuable discussion on goal-oriented approaches to future-proof agriculture and the role of collaboration between policy and practice.
Applying sensor technology and smart management in the field
The delegation received an overview of technologies that help reduce emissions and support on-farm management. Examples included sensors that provide real-time insights into animal health and feed intake, as well as practical measures such as high-frequency manure scraping and targeted feed adjustments. These types of solutions are being tested and further developed within NXTGEN in collaboration with various chain partners.
The Markemodel shows how sustainable results become visible and measurable
The visit also focused on the Markemodel, which rewards farmers based on their sustainable performance. This approach demonstrates how policy and practice can reinforce each other through targeted steering using tools like the Kringloopwijzer. The model fits well with the NXTGEN vision, where technology supports tangible progress on farms while leaving room for entrepreneurship.
De Marke as a real-world setting for policy, technology and the future of farming
De Marke demonstrates how practical research, policy and innovation come together. As a test location within NXTGEN Hightech Agrifood, it is a place where farmers, researchers and policymakers collaborate on solutions that contribute to a more resilient and sustainable food system. Technologies are tested, validated and scaled in a real-life setting to support farmers with sensors, automated processes and data-driven insights. What is happening at De Marke aligns closely with our ambition to build towards Handsfree Agrifood, where people, animals and technology work together to strengthen tomorrow’s food system.
Beyond De Marke we also test and validate at other Open Cultivation locations
In total, the Open Cultivation innovation package includes four test locations that bring Handsfree Agrifood to life. Each site offers unique conditions that allow us to develop, validate and scale innovations in a practical and meaningful way.