A week that broadened value and accelerated application
Agritechnica showed that broadening works. By connecting disciplines and collaborating across borders, the focus shifted from promise to demonstrable performance in the field. The manifesto at the NL Pavilion provided direction for policy, financing and implementation. Regions and NXTGEN connected their networks and formalised cooperation with Agrotech Valley. Pitches, a partner tour and focused conversations brought concrete applications closer and even generated new business for our partners. The discussion panel on pesticide reduction made clear which mix of biology, data and technology delivers results today. Together it forms a coherent roadmap to test, scale and deliver collectively.
From ‘could this work’ to ‘how do we start next season’
Throughout Agritechnica it became clear that the Netherlands, Germany and France, and even other continents, are pushing the same buttons. Farmers want solutions that prove their value under seasonal pressure, companies want certainty about series production and realistic costs. By connecting ecosystems, new agreements were made to organise testing, validation and production together. As a result, the conversation shifted from theory to applicability.
Clear conditions make investment more predictable
The manifesto Innovation for a future-proof agriculture and horticulture, signed and presented to DG Guido Landheer of LVVN, sets a clear bar for adoption towards 2030 and 2050. Progress in certification, insurability and education is needed, as well as capital that enables scaling. This combination brings policy and practice closer together and makes investment more rational for both providers and users.
Regional precision becomes stronger when you can scale together
Digital Farm Day showed how regional development agencies work with NXTGEN to strengthen the Handsfree Agrifood ecosystem. Their access to test fields and entrepreneurship makes it easier to get started, while NXTGEN Hightech Agrifood adds scaling power, benchmarks and international contacts. The cooperation with Agrotech Valley is secured in an MoU and opens doors to partners and pilots across the border. This creates a two-way flow in which solutions prove their value in different conditions and market insights return to the regions.
Applicability grows once production and cost price are openly discussed
On stage with company pitches and during the partner tour, value became tangible. Solutions for mechanical weeding, vision and data for soil and yield, and automated harvesting showed concrete progress. Series production, cost price and service were openly discussed, exactly the factors that determine scaling. The activity at the pavilion translated into commitments and even concrete orders for NXTGEN partners towards 2026, giving confidence to continue investing.
Working more sustainably only works when everyone moves in the same direction
During the presentations and conversations at the NL pavilion on pesticide reduction it became clear how biology, data and technology can reinforce each other when government, sector and consumers choose the same direction. Farmers can only take steps when new innovations are approved, when regulations support renewal and when the market values sustainable choices. This combination makes sustainability feasible on the farm and viable throughout the chain.
Key conclusions: broadening accelerates and strengthens reliability
The week produced three clear learnings.
One shared validation line across countries and regions reduces risks and increases confidence that innovations perform as intended in practice and that investments contribute to sustainable development.
Scaling requires early insight into production, service and total costs, supported by an open dialogue between developers, manufacturers and users.
Policy and capital must accelerate certification, insurability and education, so that proven technology can actually be applied.
With this direction we shorten the path from pilot to practice and invite you to join tests, pilots and implementations within the NXTGEN Hightech Agrifood ecosystem.