Rabo Farm, Poleko Budownictwo and Van Kessel Sport en Cultuurtechniek have signed a letter of intent to strengthen cooperation in reshaping and draining Rabo Farm’s agricultural land in the Zulawy delta in northern Poland.
This is aimed at unlocking the huge agricultural potential of farms as well as increasing and stabilizing agricultural production. Efficient water use is essential to improve productivity, efficiency and sustainability of farms.
The letter of intent marking the start of further co-operation between Rabo Farm, Poleko and Van Kessel was signed June 25 during a state visit to Poland by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands at the invitation of President Bronislaw Komorowski.
The reshaping and drainage project coincides with the government of the Netherlands’ top sector policies (water, and agriculture and food), which play a pivotal role in the bilateral relations with Poland. The Polish and Dutch nations have been working together on water control and agricultural production in the Zulawy delta since the 12th century.
The three parties have successfully finalised a pilot land reshaping and drainage project for 450 hectares of agricultural land using 300 kilometres of drain pipes at the Nowinki farm in the Zulawy delta, an investment of the Rabo Farm Europe Fund. Given the success of this pilot, the parties have agreed to continue with more drainage projects in this area with the aim of draining around 500 hectares per year from 2014 to 2017. The total investment amounts to PLN30 million (US$9.8 million), and the total additional drained agricultural area to 2,100 hectares, with the use of 800 kilometers of drain pipes.
The advantages of reshaping and draining agricultural land include agricultural productivity improvement, more efficient use of water resources and hence minimization of agricultural crop production volatility. These are essential steps in responding to the challenges facing global food security.
