grower Adri Jonkers featured on Agriland.ie
Dutch grower prefers soil over hydroponics
In the Netherlands there has been much debate as to whether greenhouse growers who grow their crops out of the soil in substrates should be allowed to apply for organic certification.
But Jonkers doesn’t agree. He said: “The key part of organic growing is that the plants are growing in the soil. Common growers use substrates and other material for their plants. But for organic the plants must be in the soil.”
Adri Jonkers in his greenhouse, pictures by AgriLand.ie
He added: “We use no artificial fertilisers or chemicals. Only natural fertilisers and natural enemies of pests are used.” For him the soil is the most important part of the farm. “Goat manure from a local organic farm is used and is an excellent fertiliser. The plants left at the end of the season are not wasted either. They are composted and form the bases of the soil for the next year’s crop.”
The Jonkers started in 2000 growing organic tomatoes and red paprika in a greenhouse of one hectare. In 2001 they obtained the EKO Certificate for Organic farming.
In 2006 they started renovation work for their family farm. They built a new greenhouse of 2.4ha and they also rented a small farm in the area with 1.2 ha greenhouse and increased production to grow cucumbers also.
Click here for the complete article with Adri Jonkers by Ciaran Moran on Agriland.ie
