vc.web.local

twitter Linkedin acp Contact Us

Rainbow Colors pioneering hydrogen technology in agriculture. (Image credit: New Energy Coalition)

A tulip forcing company in the Netherlands is breaking new ground in clean energy.

Rainbow Colors, based in Andijk in North Holland, has installed a solid oxide electrolyser to produce green hydrogen. Project partners say it is the first agricultural business in the world to apply this advanced technology. With a capacity of one megawatt, the system is also among the largest operational solid oxide electrolysers currently in use, marking a major step forward for hydrogen development in North Holland North.

The project is being delivered in partnership with Danish technology firm Dynelectro, while Dutch company Ekinetix is responsible for building the required infrastructure. The installation forms part of the regional programme Fieldlab Waterstof in de Agri, which focuses on creating a hydrogen network tailored to the agricultural sector.

Rainbow Colors has been involved in the initiative since 2023 as a pilot site for hydrogen production. By using surplus solar energy along with battery storage, the company aims to ensure a steady and reliable supply of hydrogen. The technology partners explain that solid oxide electrolysers are more efficient and experience less wear than conventional systems. Their longer operational life and improved performance are expected to lower the overall cost of hydrogen production. The system also offers a practical response to grid congestion, while increasing access to clean energy within the region.

The installation is described as pioneering not only because it is the first of its kind in agriculture, but also because it ranks as the third largest operational unit of this type worldwide. It is expected to serve as a model for other agricultural businesses seeking solutions to high energy costs and limited grid capacity.

Beau Broen, project leader at New Energy Coalition and coordinator of the hydrogen pilot projects within Fieldlab Waterstof in de Agri, said: "It is impressive to see how international innovation comes together in this project. By implementing Dynelectro's electrolyser at project partner Rainbow Colors, the region is taking an important step towards decentralized hydrogen production. It also provides an economic boost by making affordable green hydrogen available. The project underlines the innovative role North Holland North plays in the energy transition."

With this facility now operational, locally produced green hydrogen becomes available in the Netherlands, helping to address the balance between supply and demand. By using surplus renewable electricity, hydrogen can be produced for less than ten euros per kilogram and used locally. The wider programme brings together businesses and knowledge institutions across North Holland North, positioning the province as a leading hydrogen region and showing that emission free energy solutions are already within reach for agriculture.

FAO drone training for effective pest management for Locusts. (Image credit: FAO)

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has taken a major step towards modernising desert locust management with the launch of its first regional drone pilot training programme.

Led through the Desert Locust Control Commission in the Central Region and the Desert Locust Control Commission in the Western Region, the initiative is being implemented in close cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources of the Sultanate of Oman.

Hosted in Oman, the programme brings together technical specialists from countries most affected by desert locust infestations across the Central and Western Regions. Its aim is to strengthen national and regional capacity in using unmanned aerial systems for desert locust survey, monitoring and control. The initiative reflects a growing shift towards digital agriculture and precision technologies to protect crops, livelihoods and food security.

The training marks an important transition from limited pilot trials to a structured and institutional approach to drone use in locust operations. By focusing on standardised procedures and certified skills, FAO is ensuring that Member States are better prepared to respond quickly and safely to emerging locust threats. The five day programme combines classroom learning, simulator sessions and extensive hands on field exercises, offering participants a practical and immersive experience.

The programme is delivered in partnership with Micron, a leading provider of aerial spraying systems, and is supported by the FAO office in Muscat alongside strong logistical backing from Oman’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources and local partner Ankaa Space Company.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr Mamoon Al Sarai Al Alawi, Executive Secretary of the Desert Locust Control Commission in the Central Region, said, “This training marks a critical step in moving from pilot initiatives to full operational integration of drone technology in desert locust management. It will empower national teams with advanced technical skills, enhance operational safety, and ensure the effective and sustainable use of these tools in protecting crops, livelihoods, and food security.”

Beyond technical skills, the programme strengthens regional cooperation and encourages the sharing of experience and best practice. It also supports FAO’s wider strategy to modernise desert locust control through digital tools such as remote sensing, satellite monitoring, geographic information systems and eLocust platforms.

Through initiatives like this, FAO continues to support Member States in building resilient systems to manage transboundary pests, contributing directly to global food security, sustainable development and the organisation’s Four Betters agenda.

Limex unveils Modular 8 washing system for crates. (Image credit: Limex)

Limex has unveiled its latest innovation in industrial washing technology with the introduction of the Modular 8, a highly flexible and configurable washing machine platform designed for crates, seed trays, flower buckets and floats.

The new line marks a significant shift towards modular engineering, allowing customers to build exactly the washing solution they need using standardised components rather than costly custom-built systems.

Unlike traditional crate and tray washers that often require extensive engineering work to meet specific customer requirements, the Modular 8 is built from individual modules that connect seamlessly into a single washing line. These include pre-wash units, one or more main wash modules, rinse sections and blow-off units. This modular approach enables users to tailor the system precisely to their operational layout, hygiene standards and processing capacity.

By installing multiple main wash modules in sequence, the system increases soaking time and washing power, delivering higher throughput without compromising cleaning performance. Each standard module also offers multiple configuration options, such as higher-pressure pumps or advanced filtration technologies. The platform supports both left-hand and right-hand configurations, ensuring maximum flexibility for different production environments.

"With the Modular 8, we make it easier to choose exactly the configuration that matches the customer's capacity, hygiene requirements, and budget," says Joep Janssen, owner of Limex. "Our engineers have designed the machines in such a way that they follow each other seamlessly."

With a tunnel width of 800 millimetres, the Modular 8 is suitable for a broad range of applications, including harvest crates, seed trays, flower buckets and DWC floats. The system has also been designed with maintenance efficiency in mind. Improved accessibility of components simplifies cleaning, inspection and servicing, helping to reduce downtime and improve overall operational efficiency.

The Modular 8 builds on Limex’s reputation for proven, high-quality engineering. Constructed from robust stainless steel, the platform delivers durability, reliability and long service life. Twelve Modular 8 lines are already in operation across multiple countries, demonstrating strong market acceptance.

This launch sets the foundation for future developments, with the Modular 10, Modular 14 and Modular 18 planned to follow. These larger, configurable models will eventually replace Limex’s existing cart washers and big box washers, reinforcing the company’s commitment to modular, future-ready industrial washing solutions.

The initiative is part of the PDTS call.(Image credit: INTA)

INTA and the National University of La Matanza (UNLAM) are working on the optimisation and fine-tuning of a compact, controlled and affordable hydroponic system designed to enable the domestic production of fresh food in small spaces and under variable climatic conditions.

The prototype builds on the experience gained through the Antarctic Hydroponic Production Module (MAPHI).

INTA and UNLAM are jointly developing a module aimed at facilitating vegetable production in reduced spaces, regardless of external climatic variability. The goal is for the final prototype to be economically accessible and simple enough to be used by anyone in a household setting.

The project originates from the know-how developed through MAPHI, a system designed to produce vegetables under the extreme conditions of Antarctica. Drawing on that experience, INTA Santa Cruz, in collaboration with the National University of La Matanza, is now adapting and optimising the technology at a smaller scale, specifically targeted at domestic use.

Jorge Birgi, researcher at the INTA Santa Cruz Experimental Station, said,"we were able to design a production module that condenses the technologies used in the Antarctic system, while adding new features. Given the scale, this is a module that allows a family to produce their own food."

The initial objective was to transform a highly complex system, originally conceived for hostile and isolated environments, into a compact, efficient and economically accessible prototype capable of producing fresh food in limited spaces and under variable climatic conditions.

Martín Díaz, project director overseeing the optimisation phase,said, "this collaboration will provide technical tools that strengthen the prototype and make it possible to reach the goal of developing a product that can be commercialised."

Among its defining features, Díaz explained that "the module is designed to produce vegetables independently of external environmental conditions. It controls all key variables — temperature, light and nutrients  to ensure production regardless of location."

During its deployment in Antarctica, the MAPHI project led to the development of a complete technological package. This included compatible substrates, specific seed types, seed treatments and dedicated protocols. A tailored nutrient solution adapted to Antarctic conditions was also developed, along with a monitoring system incorporating sensors and custom-designed electronic boards. These components allowed data to be collected, processed and presented in a way that was easy for operators to interpret.

At this stage, efforts are focused on transforming MAPHI's technologies into a product that can be utilised by society and the productive sector. In other words, the project that proved capable of producing vegetables under extreme Antarctic conditions is now being used as a springboard for the development of commercial products.

In this regard, Birgi noted that "to achieve this objective, the MAPHI team developed a reduced-size prototype that incorporates new functionalities, making it easier to operate in a domestic environment."

Through the joint project, INTA and UNLAM will now contribute a business plan aimed at turning the prototype developed by the Santa Cruz Experimental Station into a commercial product. This phase will include a market study to identify potential user profiles, as well as the development of an intuitive interface allowing the system to be managed via a mobile phone application.

The final outcome will consist of a series of technical documents defining target users, the final price of the production system, the data collection platform to be used, and the materials required for construction.

The initiative is part of the Technological and Social Development Project (PDTS) call, a joint programme promoted by Argentina's National Interuniversity Council (CIN) and the European Union (UNIUEAR).

Top Stories

Grid List

Vietnam’s meat imports exceed US$2bn as demand climbs.

Food & Commodity

Vietnam’s appetite for imported meat continued to grow in 2025, with total purchases surpassing US$2bn for the first time.

The country imported around 978,300 tonnes of meat and meat products during the year, reflecting strong consumer demand and expanding needs within the food processing sector.

Figures compiled by the Import and Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, together with the General Department of Customs, show that Vietnam spent more than US$2.004bn on meat imports in 2025. Compared with the previous year, import volumes rose by 11.6 per cent, while the overall value increased by 12.2 per cent. The rise points to a steady shift in consumption patterns, with more households and businesses turning to imported animal protein.

India remained Vietnam’s largest supplier. The country exported 188,700 tonnes of meat to Vietnam, valued at US$681.32mn, accounting for nearly one fifth of total import volume.

Frozen pork was one of the fastest growing segments. Imports reached 183,400 tonnes, worth US$418.54mn. This marked an increase of 18.75 per cent in volume and almost 21 per cent in value compared with 2024.

Vietnam relied heavily on Russia for frozen pork, which supplied 48.44 per cent of total imports in this category. Brazil followed with a 30.91 per cent share, underlining the importance of both countries in meeting Vietnam’s protein needs.

The average import price of frozen pork stood at roughly US$2,273 per tonne. This increase came at a time when domestic live hog prices in early 2026 fluctuated between USD 2.65 and 3.30 per kilogramme, creating additional pressure along the supply chain.

While imports surged, exports remained limited. In 2025, Vietnam exported only 22,300 tonnes of meat, generating US$116.49mn in revenue. Hong Kong remained the largest destination for Vietnamese meat, although shipments to the market declined by more than 21 per cent compared with the previous year.

The figures highlight a widening gap between Vietnam’s import demand and its export capacity, as domestic consumption continues to outpace overseas sales.

Hong Kong Suspends Poultry Imports from Argentina and Japan Over Bird Flu Fears.

Poultry

Hong Kong's food safety authorities have moved swiftly to halt poultry imports from specific regions in Argentina and Japan following confirmed outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza.

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS), operating under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, issued the suspension after receiving alerts from both the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The affected areas include Lobos Partido in Buenos Aires Province and Marcos Juarez Department in Córdoba Province in Argentina, alongside Hokkaido Prefecture in Japan.
The ban covers all poultry meat, related products, and poultry eggs arriving from these regions and came into force immediately.

Trade figures from the Census and Statistics Department paint a clear picture of just how significant these supply chains are. Hong Kong brought in roughly 2,080 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Argentina last year alone. From Japan, the figures were even more considerable, with approximately 2,390 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and nearly 298 million poultry eggs making their way into the city.

A CFS spokesman noted that "the CFS has contacted the Argentinian and Japanese authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation."

Consumers can expect authorities to keep a close watch as the situation develops.

Limex unveils Modular 8 washing system for crates. (Image credit: Limex)

Equipment

Limex has unveiled its latest innovation in industrial washing technology with the introduction of the Modular 8, a highly flexible and configurable washing machine platform designed for crates, seed trays, flower buckets and floats.

The new line marks a significant shift towards modular engineering, allowing customers to build exactly the washing solution they need using standardised components rather than costly custom-built systems.

Unlike traditional crate and tray washers that often require extensive engineering work to meet specific customer requirements, the Modular 8 is built from individual modules that connect seamlessly into a single washing line. These include pre-wash units, one or more main wash modules, rinse sections and blow-off units. This modular approach enables users to tailor the system precisely to their operational layout, hygiene standards and processing capacity.

By installing multiple main wash modules in sequence, the system increases soaking time and washing power, delivering higher throughput without compromising cleaning performance. Each standard module also offers multiple configuration options, such as higher-pressure pumps or advanced filtration technologies. The platform supports both left-hand and right-hand configurations, ensuring maximum flexibility for different production environments.

"With the Modular 8, we make it easier to choose exactly the configuration that matches the customer's capacity, hygiene requirements, and budget," says Joep Janssen, owner of Limex. "Our engineers have designed the machines in such a way that they follow each other seamlessly."

With a tunnel width of 800 millimetres, the Modular 8 is suitable for a broad range of applications, including harvest crates, seed trays, flower buckets and DWC floats. The system has also been designed with maintenance efficiency in mind. Improved accessibility of components simplifies cleaning, inspection and servicing, helping to reduce downtime and improve overall operational efficiency.

The Modular 8 builds on Limex’s reputation for proven, high-quality engineering. Constructed from robust stainless steel, the platform delivers durability, reliability and long service life. Twelve Modular 8 lines are already in operation across multiple countries, demonstrating strong market acceptance.

This launch sets the foundation for future developments, with the Modular 10, Modular 14 and Modular 18 planned to follow. These larger, configurable models will eventually replace Limex’s existing cart washers and big box washers, reinforcing the company’s commitment to modular, future-ready industrial washing solutions.

ROK aims to position itself at the forefront of green bio innovation.

Infrastructure

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) has designated seven provinces Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, Jeollabuk-do, and Jeollanam-do as the first-ever “Green Bio Industry Promotion Zones” in accordance with Article 15 of the Act on the Promotion of the Green Bio Industry.

This milestone marks a significant step in the Republic of Korea’s strategy to strengthen its green bioeconomy and drive sustainable industrial growth.

Introduced for the first time this year, the Green Bio Industry Promotion Zone system is designed to establish a comprehensive, region-led framework for business support. The initiative is built around provincial hubs where green bio companies, universities, research institutes, and essential infrastructure for technology verification and certification are closely integrated. Through this clustered approach, local governments are expected to play a leading role in nurturing innovation, accelerating technology transfer, and supporting market-ready solutions.

The selected zones were evaluated and designated following a rigorous assessment process. Key criteria included industrial growth potential, implementation capacity, policy relevance, and overall feasibility. This ensures that each province is well positioned to contribute effectively to the national green bio strategy while leveraging its own regional strengths and resources.

The green-bio industry itself is regarded as a next-generation growth engine, encompassing six major sectors: microorganisms, natural products, food materials, insects, seeds, and veterinary medical products. With the designation of the Green Bio Industry Development Zones, collaboration networks among provinces are expected to deepen. In parallel, processes for verification, evaluation, certification, and commercialisation of green bio technologies and products are set to accelerate, helping to create a dynamic and competitive innovation ecosystem.

MAFRA plans to support the designated provinces by granting eligibility to participate in government-funded infrastructure development projects, including the Green Bio Venture Campus and advanced biofoundries. In addition, policy incentives will be provided to companies operating within the zones, further encouraging private-sector participation and investment in sustainable bio-based industries.

To ensure accountability and continuous improvement, MAFRA will receive quarterly performance reports from the local governments managing the designated zones. Annual performance evaluations will also be conducted to closely monitor implementation progress. Importantly, the results of these evaluations will be reflected in the formulation of policies for the following year, reinforcing a results-driven and adaptive governance approach.

Through these measures, the ROK aims to position itself at the forefront of green bio innovation, fostering regional development while advancing a resilient, sustainable bioeconomy aligned with global green growth trends.