What are the benefits of an economic mission for the sector and for individual entrepreneurs?

Last week, we went on an economic mission to Occitanie, France, with a large group of Dutch agritech entrepreneurs. The agricultural heart of France. At the Domaine de Candie urban farm, knowledge was shared on challenges such as climate change, labor shortages, and water scarcity, and Dutch companies showcased their innovations in robotics, sensors, cameras, and AI to address these issues.

In the presence of the King and Queen, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Wageningen University & Research, Fedecom, FME, RobAgri Association, INRAE, and AXEMA.
Goal: to bring innovations from the lab to practical application more quickly.

For entrepreneurs, this meant not only visibility but also new opportunities. During matchmaking sessions organized by the French Chamber of Commerce and the Dutch Embassy, concrete agreements were reached with French parties—ranging from dealer relationships to knowledge partnerships.

“This trade mission has clearly put us on the map—not only in France, but also through the nationwide attention the mission received from policymakers and politicians. It demonstrates that knowledge, innovation, and collaboration are the keys to a future-proof agricultural sector.” – Iljan Schouten, Vice President of Smart Farming Solutions at Kubota Holdings Europe

The result: satisfied entrepreneurs on their way home and a solid foundation for follow-up and trade. That’s what we do it for!