Pioneers lead the way in showing how things can be done differently. Adriaan van de Ven from Agricult is one such pioneer in sustainable agriculture. His focus on the droplet, the core element of spraying and misting, has brought tree nurseries and horticultural companies significant savings in crop protection products, water, and time for years. With his innovations in low-volume spreading technology, the company has been successful both domestically and internationally. This success also presents Van de Ven with a great opportunity for a potential partner. Who’s ready to take the plunge?

source: Heidi Peters

For 27 years, Agricult has been a producer of environmentally conscious spreading and misting technology. Adriaan van de Ven started his business with arable farming. Thanks in part to nursery Gebr. Marcelissen, he began working with tree nursery products 15 years ago. Agricult has since built a solid reputation with its LVS technology, where LVS stands for 'low volume spreading.' Before Van de Ven developed this technique, he worked as a consultant in crop protection products. Although environmental sustainability was hardly on the public agenda at the time, he understood it was only a matter of time before that would be the case. "In that role, I spent a lot of time in the field advising people on the best way to apply products," Van de Ven says. "It became clear to me that besides variables like timing, product, and quantity, the calibration of equipment and the chosen technique also had a significant impact on spraying results. In the mid-90s, I began specialising in droplet formation. I call it spreading technology because our equipment doesn't spray; the droplets are, in a sense, scattered."

Expansion through electrification and robotics

This specialisation led to the development of the LVS-lance, LVS-cart, and LVS-build-up set. These tools have resulted in substantial savings. With the technique developed by Van de Ven, only a fraction of the crop protection product and water are used. This eliminates the need to fetch water several times a day, saving time. "It has always been my driving force to show that conventional agriculture can be much more sustainable," the entrepreneur explains. "And it still is. With fewer products available and more restrictions on their use, pest control is becoming increasingly complex. At the same time, our technology is becoming more advanced and better. With LVS, growers can save a great deal on products and gain in sustainability, especially when combined with mechanical pest control."

Two types of electric mini portal tractors, both with LVS build-up

A new trend that Van de Ven sees is that Agricult dealers are increasingly more often equipping electric equipment, such as electrically powered wheelbarrows and other vehicles, with LVS technology. Thus, electrification continues to advance. "This means that different equipment is becoming available for the industry, enabling profitable cultivation of healthy crops," Van de Ven explains. "Everything is geared towards making a sustainable future possible for the next generation." Agricult’s techniques are sold and used worldwide by arable, horticultural, and nursery companies. The next logical step, which is already underway, is towards robotics.

The smallest droplet

Agricult’s product range has become quite substantial. For the tree nursery industry, the LVS-lance Pro, LVS-cart Pro, and LVS build-up sets for tree cultivation are of interest, as are the SD-Air, Stof-Does Classic, Stof-Does Dry Fog, and Turbair. "The SD-Air is similar to the Stof-Does Dry Fog, but the application is different. A dry mist is created, which is ideal for humidifying storage cells to prevent plants and bare roots from drying out. This saves labour and ensures a better product. It is also effective for dust control where needed. It works very simply. To give an idea: these droplets are 20,000 to 30,000 times smaller than an LVS droplet."

Customer testimony

One of the first tree nursery customers is Gebr. Marcelissen. Anton Marcelissen says: "We have been working with Agricult’s technology since 2009, making us the first customer in our industry. We opted for an LVS build-up set that consists of misting nozzles and dosing pumps; we built a frame around it ourselves. We use it for weed control. We are now on our fourth frame. It is designed to spray, or rather spread, 4.80 meters wide in one pass. Six spreading nozzles are installed across that width."

LVS-portal in the field at tree nursery Gebr. Marcelissen

Gebr. Marcelissen carries 50 litres of liquid per hectare: a spray liquid consisting of water and herbicide. "With some products, we use only 10 per cent of the recommended amount, with others it is approximately 25 per cent. I estimate that we use at least 75 per cent less product than with conventional application methods. Depending on the application, we often also use Codacide; this helps with better droplet distribution. You need to consider a trial-and-error period for your own crop. We, too, have learned through trial and error. But the savings on products are now huge, and working with Adriaan is pleasant. We consult and collaborate closely. And when we make suggestions, he takes them seriously."

Expansion

Elsewhere in this publication, there is a vacancy for a commercial-technical advisor at Agricult, with the offer of a partnership. Van de Ven says: "This year I turn 60, and although I have no plans to retire just yet, we are thinking about the future. We see demand and growth opportunities in new crops both domestically and abroad. For the right person, who embraces innovation and entrepreneurship, Agricult offers great opportunities." His wife Judith, who is also active behind the scenes in the company, adds: "Our technology gives growers confidence in the future. They are dealing with increasingly stringent environmental regulations. Agricult is mindful of this and offers solutions. During GrootGroenPlus, several dealers will be presenting Agricult’s techniques."