wageningenworld Magazine of Wageningen UR about contributing to the quality of life no.3 2013
Perhaps the world’s most endangered fruit Fungal diseases are wiping out the banana, page 32
You are what you host: gut flora | New hope for the redshank | Unexplored waters off Bonaire Low energy refrigeration | The effects of the new trade policy | Pasturing cows takes skill Contents
10 You are what you host: gut flora There are more bacteria in our intestines than cells in the human body. They play a role in determining how slim, healthy, and resilient we are – and even how we behave. 18 Pasturing cows takes skill On modern farms, putting cows out to pasture is not as simple as it looks. At grazing study days, livestock farmers gain new knowledge. A story of lazy cows, grass height meters and pasture washers. 32 The banana is under attack The banana is not only the most popular fruit in the world, it may also be the most endangered, due to two devastating fungal diseases. Wageningen researchers are trying to save banana cultivation.
COLOphON Wageningen World is the quarterly magazine for associates and alumni of Wageningen UR (University and Research centre) and members of KLV, the Wageningen Alumni Network. A PDF version of the magazine can be found at www.wageningenUR.nl/en/wageningen-world Publisher Wageningen UR, Marc Lamers, Editorial Board Hans Bothe, Yvonne Fernhout, Ben Geerlings, Bert Jansen, Jeanette Leenders, Desirée Meijer-Michielsen, Jac Niessen, Erik Toussaint, Delia de Vreeze Editors-in-chief Gaby van Caulil (Editor-in-chief Resource), Pauline Greuell (Corporate Communications Wageningen UR) Magazine editor Miranda Bettonville Copy editor Rik Nijland Alumni news Alexandra Branderhorst Translation Clare McGregor, Clare Wilkinson Language editor Clare McGregor Art direction and design Jenny van Driel (Wageningen UR, Communication Services) Cover picture Corbis Overall design Hemels Publishers Printer Mediacenter Rotterdam ISSN 2212-9928 Address Wageningen Campus, Akkermaalsbos 14, 6708 WB Wageningen, PO Box 409, 6700 AK Wageningen, telephone +31 317 48 40 20, [email protected] Change of address alumni www.wageningenUR.nl/en/alumni.htm Change of address associates (mention code on address label) [email protected] Change of career details [email protected]
The mission of Wageningen UR (University & Research centre) is ‘to explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’. Wageningen UR includes nine specialist applied research institutes and Wageningen University. These institutions have joined forces to contribute to finding answers to crucial questions related to healthy food and a sustainable living environment. Wageningen UR has a staff of 6,500, 10,000 students, 35,000 alumni and 40 sites, with a turnover of 662 million euros. Institutes of Wageningen UR: Alterra, LEI, Plant Research International, Applied Plant Research, Wageningen UR Livestock Research, Central Veterinary Institute, Wageningen UR Food & Biobased Research, IMARES and RIKILT.
2 Wageningenworld EDITORIAL Ph O T WW F
4 Update News in brief about research and developments at Wageningen UR.
16 Bonaire’s uncharted depths Lisa Becking and Erik Meesters of IMARES Wageningen UR explored new waters at depths of more than 300 metres off Bonaire, coming up with some surprising finds.
22 Freedom of trade The forthcoming changes to the EU’s trade policy could have far- reaching implications for the poorest countries. Agricultural sprawl
26 Hope for the redshank ‘Today, producing food poses the biggest threat to the plan- Farm-based nature is to be given another chance in contiguous et, with problems ranging from habitat and species loss to areas. Professor Frank Berendse visits a successful livestock water intake and effluent, chemical use and pollution, and farmer in the polder. greenhouse gas emissions. And that is with a world popu- lation of 7 billion people. Imagine a planet in 2050 with 9 30 Impact: refrigeration using less energy to 10 billion people, with per capita income 2.9 times what Shipping company Maersk is using 65 percent less energy to it is today and everyone consuming, on average, twice what keep fresh produce cool, thanks to a new control system. we do today. Then imagine a planet where people’s diets have changed – they eat things they couldn’t afford in the past – more animal protein, more fruit and vegetables and more products that cannot be grown where they live. Features ‘In the next 40 years we will have to produce as much food as we have in the last 8000. As a result of recent economic 36 15 years of Wageningen UR growth – in 2010 and 2011 more than 100 countries grew at We have been looking back on the eventful history of Wageningen five percent or more per year – WWF has come to realize UR. Part 3 of the series deals with the merger of the university that if we don’t get where and how we produce food right, and DLO. The university was especially sceptical at first; 15 years we can turn out the lights and go home. We will not be able on the directors of the time look back in satisfaction. to achieve our mission to conserve the world’s biodiversity. The biggest threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services in 40 Life after Wageningen most areas on the planet is agricultural sprawl. If we main- They came to study Crop Science because they wanted to tain the ‘business as usual’ trajectory, we will be farming improve crop yields. Ali Fehmi Soygeniş from Turkey became most of the planet by 2050. We need to change how we a sugar beet expert. His fellow student Felix Osae-Danso from think. We need to produce more with less. Ghana pursued a career in logistics. ‘Strategies should focus on waste, plant and animal breed- ing, technology, better practices, consumption, and prop- 44 Wageningen University Fund erty rights. Agriculture must become more efficient in On the tenth anniversary of the Wageningen Ambassadors, chair terms of all the resources that we use – land, water, soil George Lubbe and deputy chair Mariënne Verhoef explain their amendments, and pesticides. Improving efficiency is about motives, goals and achievements. more than just yields. But, improving efficiency increases both productivity and profitability. 46 Alumni ‘No one individual or institution can do everything that is News for alumni of Wageningen University, part of Wageningen UR. needed, but everyone can do something. There is no time to waste. What can you do? What can Wageningen do? Think 48 Personalia about it.’ Information about the lives and fortunes of alumni of Wageningen University. Jason Clay, Senior Vice President Market Transformation, WWF US. Clay was a Keynote speaker at the opening of the 50 KLV Academic Year of Wageningen UR on 2 September 2013 Announcements from the KLV Wageningen alumni network.
Wageningenworld 3 entomology nature Mosquito trap with lure against malaria
Since the end of April this year, 50 house- holds on the Kenyan island of Rusinga have been given an environmentally friendly mosquito trap every week. The aim of the operation is to wipe out malaria on this Lake Victoria island in four years without resorting to insecticides. The Suna trap being used contains a substance which is a natural lure. This prevents the mosquitoes from develop- ing resistance to pesticides. Both the substance and the trap were designed by Wageningen University, part of
Wageningen UR. Pho t o H olla n dse oog e The sustainable mosquito trap does re- quire electricity, though. Because few of the homes on the island have electricity, the trap is supplied together with a solar Wolf Plan for panel and the household is provided with two lamps and a charging station for mo- bile phones at the same time. This gives the Netherlands the islanders added motivation to hang one of the traps up at their homes. Wolves in Germany are moving steadily closer to the Dutch border. In or- Info: [email protected] der to be prepared for the arrival of this predator, researchers from Alterra Wageningen UR are writing a Wolf Plan at the behest of the Dutch ministry of Economic Affairs, the Association of Provinces of the Netherlands (IPO) and the Fauna Fund. Events overtook them in July when a wolf was found near the Dutch village of Luttelgeest. ‘We are not used to dealing with large predators anymore in the Netherlands,’ says researcher Geert Groot Bruinderink. For this reason a key component of the Wolf Plan is providing information about human and animal safety, among other things. Info: [email protected]
fisheries ecotoxicology Nanoparticles affect More fish in the North Sea water creatures Thanks to restrictions on fishing, there are more herring, sole, plaice, turbot and cod The miniscule carbon particles that end swimming in the North Sea now than in pre- up on river and lake beds change the vious years. For stocks of herring and sole to composition of water life. These nano- be managed sustainably, catch restrictions are particles may also affect the reproduction still needed, and there is still cause for con- and life cycle of water creatures. This cern about the cod. The plaice, on the other was the conclusion of PhD student Ilona hand, is doing so well that 15 percent larger Velzeboer of Wageningen University and catches of this fish are being allowed. This IMARES Wageningen UR after a lengthy is the advice of the International Council for field experiment. Her study was pub- Exploration of the Sea (ICES) to the European lished online in Environmental Science & Council of fisheries ministers, based on re- Technology at the end of May. search done by institutes including IMARES
Info: [email protected] Pho t o H olla n dse oog e Wageningen UR. Info: [email protected]
4 Wageningenworld UPDATE
food chains wageningen ur Second best Curry to combat agricultural university In the British QS World University Rankings, Wageningen University ranks food waste second only to the University of California in Davis in the field of agriculture and Wageningen UR Food & Biobased Research went into action against food waste forestry. For environmental sciences, at the end of June with the Damn Food Waste festival in Amsterdam. Five Wageningen is in the global top ten. thousand people were served curry made with discarded vegetables. Besides considering peer evaluations, publications, international orientation It has been calculated that every Dutch products that were nearing their use-by and the student-teacher ratio, these are person throws out 50 kilos of food each date. Wageningen UR Food & Biobased the only rankings in the world to take the every year. Wageningen UR is working with Research, several supermarket branches views of employers into account. parties in the production chain, civil society and a caterer are studying whether it would Wageningen University continues to organizations and the general public on be viable to process discarded vegetables score well nationally too. Of all Dutch ways of cutting down on that food waste. into soups and sauces on a regular basis. students, those at Wageningen remain Damn Food Waste is a joint initiative by Getting households to keep a waste diary the most satisfied with their university. FoodGuerrilla (NCDO), Wageningen UR’s and giving them tips on purchasing, cook- Moreover, 6 of the 26 Master’s pro- Nutrition Centre, Youth Food Movement ing and storage have proven to be effec- grammes – in the fields of soil, water, (YFM), Dutch environmental organization tive ways of reducing food waste among environment, geo-information systems Natuur & Milieu and Feeding the 5000/ EU consumers. In a trial of these methods and bioinformatics – gained the status of Fusions. Its mission is to urge consumers called the Food Battle, conducted by Food top programme from the national student and (especially) companies and the govern- & Biobased Research in four towns, even survey and the Keuzegids, a students’ guide ment to take action against food waste. waste-conscious households threw out up to Master’s degree programmes. Info: The Amsterdam festival curry contained to 20 percent less food. A new Food Battle [email protected] vegetables that were not perfectly formed is in the pipeline. enough to go on the shelves and fresh Info: toine.timmermans @wur.nl biobased products Sufficient protein globally Proteins are essential building blocks for humans and animals and are also found in shampoos and biobased materi- als such as bioplastics and biocoatings. If raw materials are used efficiently, it is still possible to produce enough proteins for food and non-food applica- tions, even for a global population of 9.3 billion people. This is the conclusion of Wageningen UR Food & Biobased Research in a survey of proteins available either now or in the future, from soy and grass to algae and waste streams. This does require the right application to be found for each protein: reserving high- quality proteins such as soy for food, using low-quality protein sources for ani- mals and assigning proteins or protein- containing mixes that cannot be used in food to technological applications.
Pho t o H olla n dse oog e Info: [email protected]
Wageningenworld 5 epidemiologY agricultural economics ESBL risk no greater in poultry regions
The risk of infection with ESBL bacteria is no greater for people living in areas with a large number of meat chicken farms. They are just as likely to host the bacteria, which are resistant to an- tibiotics, as people in areas with few meat chicken farms. These are the find- ings of PhD student Patricia Huijbers of Wageningen University, part of Wageningen UR, in an article in Clinical Microbiology and Infection. It is still unclear
whether or how ESBL bacteria are trans- Pho t o H olla n dse oog e ferred between humans and animals. Info [email protected] Benin’s rice production doubled Benin’s rice production has doubled in the space of five years. This was mainly through improved market conditions and loan facilities, concludes Wageningen University doctoral student Edmond Totin.
This increase means the country is almost of irrigation water. Although this approach self-sufficient in rice. At the same time, the has been successful, Totin warns that ‘the incomes of rice farmers in the three regions next government could easily get rid of the Totin studied have risen by a factor of three. grants and loans.’ He thinks a more sustain- After the 2007 food crisis, the government able solution would be delivery contracts changed policy from investing in produc- with the processing industry, which local tion techniques to guaranteeing sales and banks could use as the basis for loans to the providing good quality seed and loans. This rice farmers. Totin’s research is funded by encouraged farmers to expand production, Wageningen UR’s Convergence of Sciences increase the number of harvests in a year programme. He will get his PhD at the end
Pho t o H olla n dse oog e and make better agreements about the use of this year. Info: [email protected]
agrotechnologY Field robots go into battle in Prague In late June, six Biosystems Engineering students com- peted successfully in the Field Robot Event in Prague with their self-built robot Bullseye. The event, which started in Wageningen in 2003, is a design competition for students interested in agriculture and technology. After a few editions, the competition became Europe-wide but it is still coordinated by Wageningen University. Robots and hi-tech solutions are becoming increasingly important for sustainable agriculture and horticulture. The expectation is also that field robots will be collaborating more in future. That is why in the competition the small autonomous vehi- cles have to navigate a field and tackle weeds, for instance, as well as collaborate with another robot. The Bullseye per- formed best in this task and finished up in second place. Info: [email protected] and http://youtu.be/NUfWwLcf79k
6 Wageningenworld UPDATE
greenhouse horticulture genetics and biodiversitY Digging for treasure Demo greenhouse in the herbarium The herbarium is once again a genuine for LED lighting house of treasures now that it is possible to extract genetic material from dried plants A LED Innovation and Demonstration Centre (IDC LED) has been opened at thanks to new techniques. Tomato research- Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture in Bleiswijk for research into and ers hope to find genes for disease resistance demonstrations of the potential of LED lighting in horticulture. and for improved flavour and aroma in cen- turies-old tomato plants in the collection. Year-round cultivation is possible in Dutch Greenhouse Horticulture and Philips At the end of 2013, Wageningen’s collection horticulture thanks to artificial lighting. Horticultural Lighting have taken the of dried plants will be moving to Leiden LED lamps have the advantage that they initiative to establish a demonstration where it will become part of the National use less energy and produce less heat, centre to develop applications further, Herbarium of the Netherlands. which saves on cooling. Moreover, it is show them to market gardeners and Info: [email protected] easier to adjust the light colour with LED facilitate research into practical issues. lamps, which gives even more control over Loek Hermans, the chairman of Greenport plant growth and development. For Holland, praised the initiators at the open- example, flowers turn darker with UV light ing of the centre: ‘There are innovative than without UV light, while red light can developments taking place outside the sec- help keep mildew in check. Varying the tor that are worth applying in horticulture colour of the light also enables the study of as well. The IDC LED shows how such photosynthesis. Wageningen UR know-how can be adapted for use in hor- Greenhouse Horticulture has been ticulture.’ The first market gardeners are researching the use of LED lighting in already experimenting with LED lighting in greenhouses with partners in the sector for their greenhouses. a number of years. Now Wageningen UR Info: [email protected]
food security Pact against invisible hunger Wageningen UR is collaborating in the Amsterdam Initiative against Malnutrition (AIM) to combat invisible hunger in Asia and Africa caused by a shortage of micronutrients such as min- erals or vitamins. This hunger causes in- fant deaths and diseases. The initiative’s research activities include supporting a Dutch company that is breeding locally adapted vegetable varieties, looking for a way to dry vegetables so they can be kept longer, and helping local vegetable grow- ers to sell their produce to supermarkets.
Pho t o Ja n s el Info: [email protected]
Wageningenworld 7 entomologY and food security
1.04cm spine for 208pg on 90g eco paper ISSN 0258-6150 ISSN
FAO 171 FORESTRY 171 PAPER FAO FORESTRY PAPER 171
Edible insects Edible insects Future prospects for food and feed security Future prospects for food and feed security Edible insects have always been a part of human diets,
but in some societies there remains a degree of disdain Edible insects: future prospects for food and feed security and disgust for their consumption. Although the majority of consumed insects are gathered in forest habitats, mass-rearing systems are being developed in many countries. Insects offer a significant opportunity to merge traditional knowledge and modern science to improve human food security worldwide.
This publication describes the contribution of insects to food security and examines future prospects for raising insects at a commercial scale to improve food and feed production, diversify diets, and support livelihoods in both developing and developed countries. It shows the many traditional and potential new uses of insects for direct human consumption and the opportunities for and constraints to farming them for food and feed. It examines the body of research on issues such as insect nutrition and food safety, the use of insects as animal feed, and the processing and preservation of insects and their products. It highlights the need to develop a regulatory framework to govern the use of insects for food security. And it presents case studies and examples from around the world.
Edible insects are a promising alternative to the conventional production of meat, either for direct human consumption or for indirect use as feedstock. To fully realize this potential, much work needs to be done by a wide range of stakeholders. This publication will boost awareness of the many valuable roles that insects play in sustaining nature and human life, and it will stimulate debate on the expansion of the use of insects as food and feed.
ISBN 978-92-5-107595-1 ISSN 0258-6150 FAO
9 789251 075951 I3253E/1/04.13 Pho t o H olla n dse oog e Edible Insects book flavour of the month Interest in eating insects is growing Western countries. At least 1900 insect spe- and their incorporation in food and feed, around the world. A book on the cies are edible and they are also nutritious, the Dutch ambassador in Washington in- subject by entomologist Arnold van healthy and rich in protein. In comparison vited Marcel Dicke, also a professor at the Huis and the FAO has been downloaded with cows and pigs, they need less feed per Laboratory of Entomology, over in June to ten million times in the space of a few kilo of meat and they emit fewer greenhouse give a talk on the usefulness and necessity months. gases. Eating insects also entails less risk of of eating insects. Last year, Dicke wrote Het animal diseases being transferred to humans. Insectenkookboek (the insect cookbook) togeth- In the book Edible insects: future prospects for food This is why large-scale insect breeding is er with Van Huis and chef Henk van Gurp. An and feed security, Van Huis, professor at the being looked at as an option for feeding the English translation will be appearing in early Laboratory of Entomology at Wageningen growing global population sustainably. But 2014. Dicke attracted considerable media University, part of Wageningen UR, and his there is a lot of groundwork to be done first, interest as he worked in the embassy kitchen co-authors discuss the breeding and con- says entomologist Van Huis. In the areas of preparing insect snacks with two American sumption of insects as food and as feed for automated breeding methods, for instance, colleagues. fish and livestock. the processing and preserving of insect prod- In May 2014, the FAO will be organizing the A good two billion people around the world ucts, and rules and regulations on food safety. Insects to Feed the World conference jointly eat insects on a regular basis (mainly beetles, To demonstrate the leading role the with Wageningen UR. caterpillars, bees, wasps and ants), but not in Netherlands has in the cultivation of insects Info: [email protected]
wageningen ur geography University wins Soil processes in a new light sustainability prize The Netherlands Centre for Luminescence Luminescence dating is used in archaeo- The sustainability policy of Wageningen Dating opened on the Wageningen campus logical and earth science research. The University, part of Wageningen UR, has at the end of April. The Delft laboratory technique makes use of the fact that some come out as the best one at a Dutch higher moved to Wageningen with Jacob Wallinga, minerals – quartz and feldspar – emit weak education institution. This conclusion was professor of Soil Geography and Landscape. light signals in sand under the influence drawn by the student lobby group Morgen of light. The strength of these emissions, and the Rank a Brand organization, which known as luminescence, is related to how therefore bestowed the SustainaBul award long the minerals have spent in the soil. on the University in June. The University That is why the lab research has to be car- scored especially well on purchasing poli- ried out in a darkroom setup. The technique cy, buildings and the commitment of staff lets scientists ‘look back in time’ for periods and students. Room for improvement was ranging from decades to hundreds of thou- noted in the areas of water consumption, sands of years, enabling them to determine waste disposal and sustainable eating hab- how the landscape has changed over time.
its. Info: [email protected] P H o t g uy acker m a n s Info: [email protected]
8 Wageningenworld UPDATE
behavioural biology allergy Great tit research helps chickens
Research is being carried out at Wageningen University, part of Wageningen UR, on the social behaviour of animals in the wild. This knowledge may enable improvements to the welfare of animals in livestock farming. Oats really There is a great tit population flying mini-transmitters to get more information around with mini-transmitters in a kind of about their social behaviour in the hope are gluten free Big Brother wood near Arnhem. Receiver that this will give hints on how to avoid People with gluten intolerance may safely stations record their song and behaviour, feather picking and cannibalism. eat oats. It is not the oats themselves that where they live, their flight routes and their Animals too have individual personalities, cause the immune system of coeliac patients interaction with other great tits. The idea is which affect how the animal copes socially to react to this grain but contamination of that that this should provide new insights and consequently affect its welfare, argues the oats with barley, rye or corn. into the great tit’s neighbours, their influ- Naguib. Information about their per- Gluten from wheat, barley and rye causes ence on its behaviour and the importance sonalities also gives a better understand- chronic inflammation of the small intestine of song in relation to its personality and ing of how character can be influenced. in one to three people in a hundred, result- social contacts. Studies of birds show that their early ing in an excessively low uptake of nutri- ‘The fundamental knowledge acquired development and puberty are key periods. ents. Studies of a series of oat varieties show from studies in the wild can be used in Chicken researcher Bas Rodenburg of the that oats genuinely do not contain gluten research into the welfare of livestock ani- Behavioural Ecology science group found proteins, according to a paper in the July mals,’ says professor Marc Naguib, who that chicks that grow up with a mother hen issue of Journal of Cereal Science by researchers gave his inaugural lecture as professor under which they can seek shelter behave at Wageningen UR, the Allergy Consortium of Behavioural Ecology at Wageningen differently later on to chicks that grow up Wageningen and a Russian colleague. University earlier this year. As an example, without a mother. To prevent contamination by other cere- chickens are now also being fitted with Info [email protected] als, Wageningen UR researchers have helped develop a supply chain for oats that is guaranteed glutew n free. This supply chain has already resulted in gluten-free breakfast products and oatmeal bread. The scientists are now focusing on better oat varieties for bread. Info: [email protected]
food chemistry Organic coffee has its own aroma RIKILT Wageningen UR has demonstrated that coffee aromas are a kind of individual fingerprint. Analysis of the volatile compo- nents of 110 brands of ground coffee shows that organic coffees all have a similar aroma pattern, one that differs significantly from that of regular coffee. If this database were to be extended, the aroma method could be used as a test to prevent fraud with organic coffee brands. Info [email protected]
Wageningenworld 9
microbiologY
You are what you host: your gut flora
There are more bacteria in our intestines than cells in the human body. They play a role in determining how slim, healthy and resilient we are – and even how we behave. This holds great potential for medical science, says Professor Willem de Vos. ‘A microbiological approach can sometimes work better than medicine.’
Text Nienke Beintema IllustrationS Jenny van Driel
hysiologically speaking, birth is one with different species of bacteria fighting, explains, ‘but in recent years it has become of the most abrupt events of your life. competing, or even helping each other, and clear that their influence stretches far fur- PFrom a completely sterile, protective between them producing an assortment of ther. Intestinal bacteria turn out to play environment, you are suddenly thrown into chemical substances. a role in conditions such as allergies and a cold world bursting with bacteria. The ‘The influence this process has on the asthma, as well as diabetes and obesity. switch to pulmonary respiration comes as host is far greater than anyone could have There are even indications that they influ- quite a shock, but there is another change imagined,’ says Jan Knol, director of Gut ence our behaviour.’ afoot that is at least as significant. Within Biology and Microbiology at Danone The complexity of our intestinal ecosys- minutes the first bacteria start to enter the Research. In April 2012 he was made tem beggars belief. Each of us is carrying body. Certain species nestle in the intestines professor (by special appointment) of the around at least 100 quintillion bacteria in where they start a process that will last for Intestinal Microbiology of Early Life in the our intestines. Ten times as many as the months, maybe years: the development Microbiology chair group at Wageningen total number of cells in our body. About of your own unique gut flora – nowadays University. He gave his inaugural lecture one thousand different types have been known among the experts as gut micro- on 30 May. ‘The gut microbiota help us recorded so far, and the average person’s biota. It is a veritable ecosystem in there to digest food and resist diseases,’ Knol gut contains roughly a hundred of >
Wageningenworld 11 ‘Intestinal bacteria have a far greater influence than anyone could ever have imagined’
them. Together, these bacteria weigh about on mice that the gut microbiota certainly of obesity, high blood pressure, and height- one and a half kilos and contain 150 times can be the cause of certain diseases. If you ened cholesterol levels. These people are more genes than we do. Scientists are hard feed sterile mice, which have no intestinal less sensitive to insulin, which often leads at work trying to map this so-called ‘meta bacteria of their own, the microbiota of a to their developing diabetes. ‘If you give genome’. As a result, more and more is be- fat mouse they gain more weight than if you these people a stool transplant using the coming known about this dynamic system. give them bacteria from a thin mouse.’ intestinal bacteria of a slim donor,’ says De ‘The Wageningen Microbiology chair group Vos, ‘their sensitivity to insulin returns to has been a world leader in the field of gut Flushing with faeces normal levels. Of course, this is a fantastic microbiota for years,’ claims Knol, whose These findings were published in Nature by discovery. Such cases show that a microbio- chair is funded by his employer. ‘At Danone American colleagues in 2006, but De Vos logical approach can sometimes work bet- we apply that knowledge in order to develop and his colleagues, including some at the ter than medicine.’ baby and medical foods. So for me this is Amsterdam Medical Centre (AMC) have The microbiologists now want to further the perfect collaboration.’ since convincingly proven that the same explore these results. For instance, they principle applies to humans. In January want to know exactly which bacteria are Fat because of bacteria of this year, they published their findings responsible for the efficacy of such treat- The Microbiology research group has a long in the influential New England Journal of ments, how you can optimize the treatment, tradition of researching gut intestinal bac- Medicine. Some people suffer from chronic and whether it can be used to combat other teria. Some of the most remarkable discov- bowel infections caused by the bacterium diseases. ‘We mustn’t over-interpret this,’ eries in the field in recent years have been Clostridium difficile, the professor explains. De Vos warns. ‘I’m not saying that it will made in the Wageningen lab, which is led They are often elderly, or suffer from a help cure every disease. But it is clear that by Professor Willem de Vos. ‘In early 2011, weakened immune system. Such infec- gut microbiota influence our health in all for instance, our article on enterotypes was tions are accompanied by severe stomach sorts of ways.’ published in the journal Nature,’ says de pain and bloody diarrhoea, and in some Vos. ‘Enterotypes are the three main groups cases they can even be fatal. The standard Bacteria in breast milk into which we classify gut microbiota. treatment is successive courses of antibi- The ‘transplant experiments’ in Every human has a specific combination of otics. ‘We looked into what happened if, Wageningen are shedding more and more bacteria, but we can identify three general instead, you first cleanse the intestines and light on the functions of gut flora amongst categories. Apparently our intestines can then flush them with diluted faeces from a adults, but very little is known about the only support a limited number of stable healthy donor,’ says De Vos. ‘The patient es- intestinal bacteria of babies and small chil- ecosystems.’ sentially receives new intestinal bacteria. Of dren, says professor by special appointment Further research revealed the existence of the people who received this treatment, 95 Jan Knol. ‘For instance, we don’t yet know certain sub-enterotypes, and showed that percent were cured, while only 30 percent how exactly the intestines are colonized. some of these correlate with a heightened of those in the antibiotics group recovered. One thing we do know is that newborn ba- risk of diseases of affluence such as obesity The difference was so great that the medi- bies pick up a lot of their mothers’ bacteria and diabetes. The next question, of course, cal ethics committee stopped the experi- during birth,’ he explains. ‘In the last few is which is the cause and which the result. ment prematurely because it was deemed years we have discovered that bacteria in After all, the host’s state of health could be unethical to deny the control group a faecal breast milk also play a role, but we don’t causing certain microbiota to appear in the transplant.’ yet know quite how they end up there.’ It is gut. Or a person’s health and the composi- Together with their AMC colleagues, the clear, though, that the events of this early tion of their intestinal bacteria could be Wageningen researchers carried out a stage of life have a long-term influence: influenced by the same underlying factor. similar experiment with people suffering ‘The symbiosis with the intestinal bacteria De Vos: ‘But by now we know from research from metabolic syndrome: a combination develops in the first few months of life. The
12 Wageningenworld microbiologY
immune system needs to mature and we INTESTINAL BACTERIA AS AN ECOSYSTEM now know that the gut microbiota play an Human intestinal bacteria form an extensive, complex and dynamic ecosystem made up of important role in that process.’ a selection of the c. 1000 identified species, with a different mix of species for every It makes a difference, the professor ex- individual. plains, whether babies are born naturally or by Caesarean. Only in the former case Number of bacteria Number of species of The composition of the gut in intestines: bacteria in the human flora varies from person to does the baby come into immediate contact intestines: person, but can be divided with the mother’s gut and vaginal bacteria, 100 quintillion into a few main types with which, it is now clear, are beneficial to the c. 100 species specific characteristics. baby. In the case of a Caesarean section, (for comparison: there are 10 quintillion cells in the This is a sample of the other bacteria are first to reach the baby’s human body) c. 1000 identified species stomach, including potentially damaging bacteria from the hospital environment. Together, these intestinal In any case, babies born by C-section tend bacteria weigh to have a different set of intestinal bacteria 1,5 kilos in their first few months than babies who have a natural birth. ‘We don’t yet know what the consequences might be for the immune system, the metabolism, and even the brain,’ says Knol. ‘That’s the kind of thing we want to research.’ The percent- age of Caesarean sections is on the rise worldwide, he says. ‘In some countries it is over 50 percent. Besides, antibiotics are increasingly being given to children in their first year. We know that antibiotics can cause long term disturbances of gut mi- crobiota amongst adults, but we don’t yet know their influence on the colonization of the intestines during the first year of life. That’s another thing we want to research in Wageningen.’
Treatment of babies Knol has no trouble naming a number of potential applications for such knowledge. For instance, medical baby food contain- ing proteins that are beneficial for certain types of intestinal bacteria. Perhaps even The ‘metagenome’ of the intestinal bacteria contains procedures for administering certain bac- 150x more different genes teria directly to babies’ intestines. Very than the human genome. positive results have already been >
Wageningenworld 13 achieved by adding so-called prebiotic fibre RESTORING HEALTH WITH NEW GUT BACTERIA to baby formula, according to Knol. This is The composition of the intestinal ecosystem, made up of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria which dietary fibre such as oligosaccharide, which collaborate or compete with each other, appears to have an impact on human health, stimulates the growth of certain types of weight and even behaviour. These aspects can be influenced by adjusting the gut bacteria ‘good’ intestinal bacteria. ‘But if we want to using a faecal transplant. develop a medical application, we first need to understand how the development of gut Replacing microbiota progresses in healthy babies,’ gut bacteria he adds. ‘To achieve this, we want to do research into the differences in intestinal bacteria between healthy babies and, for example, premature babies, babies with infantile colic, and babies with allergies or meta- bolic disorders. We want to track groups of children over several years in order to see whether the ones who develop obesity already have different microbiota in the first weeks of their life. I suspect they do. I expect to find that there’s a window of time within which your intestinal bacteria start to develop in a positive – or less positive – direction.’ Knol emphasizes that he doesn’t just want to describe how the intestinal bac- teria differ between those different groups Recovery from Clostridium Restoration of insulin Less anxious of children. He wants to research how and difficile intestinal infection sensitivity why certain bacteria have an effect on our health. ‘Which metabolic transformations do these bacteria facilitate?’ he wonders. ‘Which molecules do they have on their surface, and how do they communicate with the host’s immune system? We want to understand these systems at the level of Following treatment with People with a reduced Mice that do not dare molecules and the transmission of signals. antibiotics 30% recovery. sensitivity to insulin suffer cross a bridge will do so Only once you have that knowledge can you from overweight, high blood after a transplant of start to look into potential applications.’ Following transplant of pressure and raised intestinal bacteria from intestinal bacteria from cholesterol levels. bold mice. Mice less timid healthy person 95% Willem de Vos too would like to understand recovery. Following transplant of intestinal bacteria from slim these underlying mechanisms. He works donor, insulin sensitivity on them not only in Wageningen but also in returns to normal. Helsinki, where he leads another research
14 Wageningenworld microbiologY
‘How is it possible for these bacteria to influence our behaviour?’
team. ‘To me, one of the most intriguing cluding the intestine, plays a role. ‘So there that these protrusions are able to interact questions is: how is it possible that these is a concrete brain-gut-axis,’ says De Vos, with the receptors on the outside of the bacteria influence our behaviour?’ Very ‘but how bacteria are able to send signals to intestinal wall cells which play a role in the interesting experiments have been carried the nerve ends is still a mystery.’ immune system. In this way it’s possible to out, he says, in which researchers were able imagine them influencing certain immune to change the behaviour of mice by giving Communication mystery reactions.’ them different gut microbiota. For example, A recent discovery has brought us one step The outside world often wants to know mice that were initially too scared to cross a closer to a solution to this ‘communica- immediately when this research is going bridge across a bowl of water were willing tion mystery’. De Vos and his colleagues to lead to treatments, according to De Vos. to cross the water after receiving a faecal were the first to notice that the lactic acid ‘But that’s still a long way off,’ he says. transplant containing bacteria from ‘brave’ bacterium Lactobacillus rhamnosus has small ‘We scientists are already very happy with mice. And mice that were administered cer- protrusions on its surface with which it the progress we’ve made so far, but it’s tain probiotic bacteria became less sensitive can latch on to things – the intestinal wall, still just the tip of the iceberg. We are now to fear and depression. How it is possible for instance. ‘These protrusions consist targeting a couple of beneficial bacteria, for the intestines to influence the brain has of chains of proteins,’ explains De Vos, such as Akkermansia, but there are still not yet been clarified. It is clear, however, ‘including a special mucus-binding protein hundreds that we’ve never looked at.’ W that the vagus nerve, a long nerve which ex- with which the bacteria can latch on to our tends from the brain into the entire body in- intestinal wall very firmly. In the lab we saw Info: www.wageningenur.nl/obesity
THE magic bacterium AKKERMANSIA Roughly half of all intestinal bacteria live off the food in the intestines. The other half eat the mucus that is produced by the intestinal walls. One of these is Akkermansia muciniphila, a bacterium that was discovered ten years ago in Wageningen. It was named after Anton
Akkermans, former leader of the Molecular Ecology team in Willem P H o t M u riel D errie n de Vos’s Microbiology chair group. ‘This bacterium is a very dominant presence,’ says De Vos. ‘It covers the intestinal wall and produces certain fatty acids which benefit us as well as other bacteria.’ Akkermansia soon proved to be something of a wonder bacterium. It is more prevalent in the intestines of slim people than in those of overweight people. Animal experiments proved that this was a causal relationship. If you feed mice a fat-rich diet they get fat and develop all sorts of infections in their intestines. If you feed them Akkermansia bacteria along with the fatty diet, they become less fat than the mice on just the high-fat diet and their blood shows fewer indicators of infection. Their intestinal wall also functions as a bet- ter barrier, which is beneficial for the immune system. ‘These mice stayed healthy despite their fatty diet,’ summarizes De Vos. ‘It’s almost like magic.’
Wageningenworld 15 Down to uncharted depths
‘Very little is known about the coral reef below 50 metres’
Erik Meesters and Lisa Becking in the submarine off Bonaire. marine ecologY
An underwater expedition to more than 300 metres deep in unexplored waters around the island of Bonaire produced information about biodiversity in the Down to Dutch Caribbean: a new shrimp, unknown sponges and a strange carpet of cyanobacteria. Not a comfortable experience though. ‘You lie side by side on your stomachs for six hours, staring out.’ uncharted depths Text Rik Nijland PhotograPhy Barry brown
ctually, Lisa Becking and Erik Meesters are still nip out for a pee either.’ There was very little room exploring the ocean around Bonaire, only now for manoeuvre, adds Meesters. ‘It is a mini-sub: there Athey are doing it on their computer screens at were the two of us, the pilot, the technician and a pas- IMARES Wageningen UR. ‘Just look at all these little senger, all on a surface area not much bigger than this worms. There is a sponge and that transparent thing is desk.’ a sea squirt’, says Meesters, pointing at his laptop. ‘But The deeper they went down the reef, the thinner the what is that over there? Is it a brittle star? What do you coral became, for lack of light. They came to a sandy think?’ patch broken up by bits of old reef from periods when ‘We are continuously noticing new details on the photos the sea level was much lower. These formed a kind of and videos,’ explains Becking. ‘In the sub you don’t oasis full of life. There was a surprise to come though. always know exactly what to look out for.’ Last spring ‘On all three of the dives we ran into a zone at a depth the tropical marine ecologists of IMARES were given a of 50 to 100 metres where the seabed is covered with unique opportunity to explore the coral reef at Bonaire a layer of cyanobacteria. We are familiar with these by submarine, going deeper than they normally go as from the coral reef, where they are a sign of distur- experienced divers. bance, but this might be their proper place in the sys- The idea of these excursions to more than 300 me- tem,’ says Meesters. tres under the sea came from the Dutch ministry of The submarine is equipped with two strong lamps Economic Affairs, which is responsible for Dutch and the equipment needed for taking samples: a grip- nature areas, including those off Bonaire, St Eustatius per, a net to collect the booty in, a chisel to work stub- and Saba. ‘The Netherlands has signed treaties on the born sponges loose and two tubes – one for giving a conservation of biodiversity. One of the consequences fish a small dose of poison and another for vacuum- of that is that you should find out what kinds of organ- ing up the drugged victim. isms live there. Very little is known about the deep reef, The researchers brought about 80 finds to the surface, below 50 metres,’ says Meesters. The first explorations including about 50 sponges and a shrimp that clung were possible because one of the world’s few research for dear life to its ‘own’ sponge. A new species, re- submarines is stationed on Curacao. Because the owner, vealed research at Naturalis natural history museum businessman Adriaan ‘Dutch’ Schrier, is crazy about in Leiden, where most of the identification is done. underwater life, he financed the transfer of the vessel to Science has probably gained a couple of new species Bonaire, and the ministry of Economic Affairs funded of sponge from the exercise, not to mention a possible the diving. stream of new micro-organisms that live symbiotically on the sponges. These results provide no more than dripping a first impression of the biodiversity in these waters, The researchers were not scared in the submarine but the researchers stress. ‘We would love, for instance, Becking does have vivid memories of the discomforts to take a look to the north of the island as well. The of life on board. In shallow waters it was stiflingly hot, slope is steeper there and probably even more interest- and the deeper it went the colder it became, with con- ing, but we need a sponsor before we can investigate densation starting to drip from the steel walls. ‘And that. W you lie side by side on your stomachs for six hours, staring through the porthole. It’s tough. You can’t just Info: www.wageningenur.nl/dutchantilles
Wageningenworld 17 Pasturing cows takes skill
On modern farms, putting cows out to pasture is not as simple as it looks. At grazing study days, livestock farmers gain new knowledge. A story of lazy cows, grass height meters and pasture washers.
TeXT & PHotograPHY Hans Wolkers
hich plot of grass would you tres high whereas the grass on the other pasture, mainly because farms have more graze your cows on?’ asks Bert plot is only half that high. ‘I think that tall livestock and less space for grazing close to W‘ Philipsen, researcher at grass is fine,’ says one farmer. ‘But it has the barn. The use of automatic milking sys- Wageningen UR Livestock Research. become overgrown,’ says another, ‘and that tems also necessitates a different approach He points to two rectangular areas of grass. means its feed value is less.’ A third farmer to grazing. This is why a growing number A group of dairy farmers are listening atten- adds, ‘I would give my cows a bit of maize of farmers are keeping their cows indoors tively. They are at a grazing study day at the as an extra if I was grazing them here.’ A all year round: the proportion has grown Dairy Campus in Leeuwarden, the dairy lively discussion develops, with Philipsen from 10 to 30 per cent in the space of 10 farming innovation centre in which asking the occasional challenging question years. But consumers prefer their milk to Wageningen UR is one of the participants. to set the group thinking. come from cows that graze in fields rather The grass on one of the plots is 20 centime- It is not easy for farmers to put cows out to than cows kept in barns. Dairy companies
18 Wageningenworld livestock
Bert Philipsen and participants in the grazing study days assess the quality of the grass.
are responding with ads showing cows duces ammonia emissions as the urine ucational programmes are mainly aimed at grazing in typical Dutch countryside and by doesn’t come into contact with the cow supporting farmers who decide to put their encouraging farmers to put their cows out pats. But on the other hand, the nutrients cows out to pasture.’ to pasture. Dairy farmers themselves also are more likely to wash away into the think grazing in fields is ‘healthy for the groundwater. There was quite a debate Lazy cows cow’ and ‘more natural’. And if done prop- about this for a number of years. The deci- Researchers at Wageningen UR do a lot of erly, it is also cheaper than keeping cows in sion whether to keep your cows in a field or research on the relationship between grass- barns. From the environmental perspective a barn is primarily the personal choice of land, farming practices and milk quality. there are both positive and negative effects the dairy farmer, based on commercial and They then pass their knowledge on to dairy from grazing, explains Philipsen. ‘On the physical labour considerations as well as farmers, for example during the grazing one hand, having cows graze outside re- social and personal values. Our current ed- study days. During the excursions, farmers >
Wageningenworld 19 Bert Philipsen and participants in the grazing study days study the quality of the grass.
get practical lessons in how to deal with lazy cows are kept in barns, farmers know exactly In the summer they need to know about cows, how best to manage the grassland and what they are eating: grass silage, maize and grass varieties and growth stages to decide how to deal with the weather. ‘We want to concentrates of known quality. That gives a whether the grass is ‘good’. For example, help farmers improve their grazing know- sense of security. When cows graze out- grass that is flowering tastes poorer and is how and skills so they can get more out of doors, unpredictable factors such as the more difficult to digest. Too wet, too dry, too their grassland,’ explains grazing expert weather affect the quality and quantity of the hot, too cold: a skilled farmer needs to take Philipsen. Farmers often stick to fixed pat- grass. If the grass is poor, cows eat less of it all these factors into account. Autumn is a terns of behaviour without realizing it and and milk production falls. Even tasty grass tricky period for livestock farmers; the cows have insufficient expertise. Philipsen is con- can become less appealing after a period of don’t find the grass so tasty and its nutri- vinced they are not getting the most out of bad weather. ‘If farmers then start giving the tional value decreases. In addition, there is their grassland as a result. He thinks there animals extra food, you get lazy cows,’ says also often a lot of manure on the land after a would be big potential gains if farmers knew Philipsen. ‘Cows that stand next to the season of grazing, which also stops the cows more about grass and about cows. ‘There fence, can’t be bothered to graze and com- eating as much. The farmer has to provide has been too little research and not enough plain until they get a convenient feed snack.’ extra food now, but not too much. He has to effort put into spreading knowledge, result- find the right balance, without spoiling the ing in a lack of innovation in grazing Standing water cows. practices.’ The farmers are also taught that good grass- Grazing requires knowledge not just of Wageningen UR heads the Dynamic Grazing land management starts early in the year grassland but also of bovine behaviour. network; along with a large number of part- when they need to assess the winter damage ‘Cows have autistic tendencies,’ says ners, it has started up educational activities caused by moles or standing water in the Philipsen. ‘They prefer regular patterns and that now take place six times a year. They in- field, for instance. That damage has a big in- routine, so livestock farmers need to take ad- clude the grazing study days and practical fluence on the quality and quantity of grass vantage of that.’ If farmers combine grazing training in grazing, mainly at the Dairy later in the year. Early spring is the time for with an automatic milking system, they need Campus or the Zegveld and De Marke experi- plans and decisions. When can the cows go to direct the cows in such a way that they go mental farms. A significant disadvantage to outside? Which fields should I mow and out to graze of their own accord and still re- grazing for livestock farmers is that they which should I leave as pasture? How much turn for milking. For instance, a farmer can have less control over feed intake. When fertilizer should I apply and where? have a strip of fresh grass available every
20 Wageningenworld livestock
‘We want to help farmers get more out of their grassland’
morning to tempt the animals outside. After a programme full of theoretical and Philipsen is convinced that farmers who do When this has been eaten, the cows can be practical lessons, the grazing study day fin- the Farm Walk will become more aware and taught that they can only find a new strip by ishes with a Farm Walk. ‘Farmers should do better at managing their grassland, with more going via the milking robot. It is important a tour of their farm once a week to assess the efficient grazing as a result. Costs will fall and for the cows to graze as much as possible state of their fields,’ explains Philipsen. consumers will be pleased as they will be get- because every mouthful of the relatively ‘What do I see, what are the measurements ting milk from cows put out to pasture. cheap fresh grass means more revenue, by and what should I do?’ Course participant Van Essen from Marssum reducing the need for extra, relatively expen- The group walks through a field where the says he has learnt some ‘very useful’ things. sive feed. grass has been cut. ‘What do you see?’ asks He has changed the way he grazes his cows. Philipsen. He points to the clipped grass. ‘A ‘I always pick up things about grass and how Grass height meter tough bit of turf,’ says one farmer. With it grows during the grazing study days,’ he As farms have become more intensive and some difficulty, Philipsen digs up a robust says. ‘Now I don’t let my cows graze as long larger in scale, more cows have to graze on clump of grass. ‘This is English ryegrass. For in one field; I move them around more so the same area of pasture and so innovation good grassland, you need more than three that the grass remains tasty and nutritional has become essential for good grassland quarters of the grass to be of this variety,’ he for longer.’ W management. This requires a solid scientific says. ‘It has tough roots and a purplish lower basis. That is why Wageningen UR wants to stalk.’ Info: www.amazinggrazing.eu/en focus more over the next few years on funda- mental questions relating to grazing. How does grass grow? How do cows graze and what is the interaction between grass and cow? These results will form the basis for NUMBER OF COWS IN THE MEADOWS GOES DOWN new grazing practices. At the same time, in the Amazing Grace pro- Grazing Non-grazing ject, Wageningen UR is focusing on develop- dairy cows dairy cows 90% 10% ing and applying new techniques. For 2001 instance, a grass height meter tells you how 2011 much grass there is in a field, helping the farmer decide whether it would be better to 70% 30% mow the field or use it as pasture. Regular measurements also give information on how much grass the cows are consuming. Livestock farmers can use that information According to farm size (2011) to determine how much extra feed to give. Number of Grazing Non-grazing Another novelty is the ‘pasture washer’. This dairy cows dairy cows dairy cows piece of equipment is under development 93% 7% and should in future be able to spread or < 40 wash away the cow pats in a field. This will 160 > increase grass yields and make the field 42% 58% more attractive again for grazing cows. Source: CBS
Wageningenworld 21 eu trade policy affects vulnerable countries Freedom of Trade The forthcoming changes to the European Union’s trade policy could have far-reaching consequences for the very poorest countries, which will now be required to open their borders to products from the EU. ‘The EU should make sure the economies of these countries
are not disrupted.’ Text René Didde Illustration Rhonald Blommestijn
fter ten years of negotiations, the overhauled On top of this, countries which can prove that they European Union Trade Policy comes into force have paid extra attention to human rights, labour rela- Aon 1 January 2014. Following instructions from tions or environmental protection gain an additional the World Trade Organization (WTO) the EU will from advantage. Van Berkum: ‘These GSP+ countries, as now on be aiming at a globally operating market with they are called, pay only 2.5 percent import duty.’ He as few protectionist measures as possible. But the hastens to add that these percentages are pure fabrica- WTO also stipulates that world trade should not ham- tions and that the real figures also vary from product to per the economies of developing countries. Several de- product. Not to mention the inevitable long list of ex- veloping countries will lose their current advantage on ceptions. ‘Bananas from Cuba, for instance, come un- the European market, says development economist der the 2.5 percent rate, but cane sugar doesn’t Siemen van Berkum of LEI Wageningen UR in The because that is a sensitive and strategic agricultural Hague. He explains the trade policy, which is incom- product for the EU.’ prehensible to the uninitiated. ‘Normally countries pay import duty to the tune of, let’s say, 10 percent in order No arms to be allowed to import their goods into the EU. The Then there are the world’s poorest countries to consid- ‘general system of preferences’ (GSP) gives developing er. There are 49 of these ‘EBA countries’. ‘They pay countries a discount on this, so they only have to pay, zero percent import duty and there are no financial re- say, 5 percent import duty.’ strictions on their sales of goods – with the exception >
22 Wageningenworld economics and policy of arms – on the European market,’ explains Van Berkum. The lists of countries in all these categories are being pruned. Countries such as Russia, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, and oil states such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Brunei, have developing country status and come under the GSP ruling. ‘The EU is now saying – not without justification – that in 2013 these countries are fully-fledged players on the world market. In the interests of a level playing field, they should pay EU import duty in full from now on.’ Other adjustments are of a more bureaucratic nature. Some countries such as Nicaragua come under more than one category. Nicaragua is an EBA country, paying zero percent duty, but the EU has also made a free trade agreement with it, says Van Berkum. This kind of dupli- cation is going to be eliminated. ‘That is also going to happen for the ‘overseas territories’ of EU countries such as France (with a whole bunch of islands such as Martinique), UK (Gibraltar) or the Netherlands (the for- mer Dutch Antilles), which already have access to the EU anyway through their ‘mother country’.’
Opening up borders The rationalizing of lists and elimination of duplicate privileges is more than just a logical update to keep up with the times. There is a catch to it, says LEI expert Van Berkum. The EU has proposed to the ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) countries that they need not pay duty anymore, but in exchange for this they are expected to stop charging duty on EU products crossing their bor- might as well give up in the face of their European com- ders too. petitors, who are much better equipped. Take frozen ‘A lot of the poor countries were former colonies of an meat products such as chicken, for example, long-life EU member state and were therefore already in the zero dairy products or milk powder, and even non-perishable percent category,’ says Van Berkum. So as far as exports consumer goods such as coffee cups, plastic crates or are concerned, these countries do not stand to gain any- matches. All in all, the economies of these already vul- thing from the proposal, as they already had access to nerable countries could be seriously disrupted.’ Europe, while now they have to open their borders to su- per-efficiently produced goods from Europe without Technical aid gaining anything in import duty.’ The LEI economist advises the EU to keep a close eye For consumers in most of these ACP countries, such as on how this pans out. ‘The EU announced that the in- Surinam, the new measure will probably not work out troduction of the new trade policy would be com- too badly at first, Van Berkum thinks. ‘After all, there bined with technical aid to help the countries make will be more choice on the market, including new prod- production more efficient.’ But he wonders whether ucts. The increase in competition with local products this will be enough. ‘Something else the EU could do will probably lead to lower prices and better quality.’ would be to make investment loans available so that However, Van Berkum hastens to add that the new regu- countries can make big technical advances. Or they lations pose great dangers as well. ‘Local producers could help improve the provision of technical and ag-
24 Wageningenworld economics and policy
‘The EU wants developing countries to open up their borders’
ricultural education.’ source of income for the country. What is more, Zagema It is even more important, in Van Berkum’s view, to put predicts that the new trade policy will create tensions be- these countries in a position to start exporting too. ‘In tween countries, especially in Africa. Economically more view of their zero rating for EU duties they ought to be powerful countries such as Kenya stand to gain from a capable of that already. However there are plenty of other new treaty because they will no longer have to pay EU rules and regulations besides the duties. An example import duties. But Kenya’s weaker neighbours, would be the stipulation that tomatoes exported to the Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda, were already EU are not allowed to contain certain pesticides, while able to export their goods duty-free under the EBA and meat is not allowed to have been treated with certain have nothing to gain from a new treaty. hormones or antibiotics. Then there are rules about not The consequences of this should not be underestimated, infringing human rights and about minimum require- says Zagema. ‘It has always been an aim of the EU and ments for labour conditions. In themselves these are all indeed of the WTO to stimulate budding regional collab- highly praiseworthy goals but they do stand in the way oration, which helps strengthen the economies of devel- of developing countries seeking access to the European oping countries. At the same time this ambition is market. Europe should help these countries to meet undermined by the access European countries are gain- these standards.’ ing to that market and the regional tensions this creates.’ Frozen drumsticks The admission of EU goods to our markets has already Political scientist Bertram Zagema at Oxfam Novib is fol- been a bone of contention between the EU and our coun- lowing the EU trade policy from a distance. ‘The new tries for ten years, sighs Josephine Latu-Sanft, spokes- policy could certainly have a disruptive effect,’ he says in person for the secretariat of the ACP countries in support of Van Berkum’s argument. ‘One of the things Brussels. ‘The main point is that we want trade with the you see is that frozen drumsticks and chicken wings EU to be good for the economic development of the from Europe are going to Africa for next to nothing. A poorest countries and not to harm the economy and turn European trader can make a bit from them and in Africa us into a branch of the rich countries,’ says Latu-Sanft. a distribution network grows up around the importer. She too subscribes to Zagema’s view that regional bot- That has advantages for the importer but local chicken tlenecks and tensions could arise in Africa. ‘The EU ne- producers will suffer as a result.’ gotiates with seven different blocs of ACP countries. Few The worst of it is, says Zagema, that the local producers countries are in favour of it. Some are considering inter- cannot appeal to their government to protect local pro- im agreements and most are dead against it.’ Latu-Sanft duction with import duties, since it has signed a trade shares the fear that many countries will lose an impor- agreement with Europe. tant source of income through the loss of import duties. Zagema points out two more significant disadvantages. ‘In some cases we are talking about 40 percent of all ‘If the EU gets duty free access to African markets, for government revenues.’ W instance, then those countries no longer get import duty revenues from EU exporters. And there goes a major Info: www.wageningenur.nl/cap
Wageningenworld 25 Agricultural nature management on a large scale Hope for the redshank
26 Wageningenworld nature management
State secretary Dijksma has announced a major reform of agricultural nature management which provides for new opportunities for nature on the farm – in large, contiguous areas. Professor Frank Berendse, one of the founding fathers of the new policy, pays a visit to a successful livestock farmer in the Arkemheen polder. ‘This gives me a good feeling’.
Text RENÉ DIDDE PhotograPhy Marcel van den Bergh
ook, you can still see the bits of eggshell. It’s very satisfying to see that a nest has hatched.’ Dairy L ‘ farmer Kees van ’t Klooster enthusiastically points out an empty godwit nest marked by simple steel railings. A month ago, Van ’t Klooster placed protection around the meadow-bird nests on his land. He found the nests by spending hours observing the birds’ behaviour from his tractor. ‘Some farmers and volunteers from the agricultur- al nature management society like to ramble through the fields but I’d rather use the tractor as a birdwatching hide. Then I can monitor four different fields at once and after a few hours I can fence off several nests.’ The nest protection not only enables the person operating the mower to avoid the nests of vulnerable meadow birds, it also ensures grazing cows keep out of their way. Only frisky young cattle such as heifers will occasionally inves- tigate a field bird nest, curious to see the source of the chirping and scratching.
Nature’s Imperative The Council for the Environment and Infrastructure con- cluded in its advisory report Nature’s Imperative published last spring that agricultural nature management has had little effect in the Netherlands. Sharon Dijksma, state sec- retary of Economic Affairs, has taken nearly all its recom- Frank Berendse and Kees and Ans van ’t Klooster in mendations on board as the basis for a new nature policy. the Arkemheen polder. One of the report’s main authors was Frank Berendse, professor of Nature Conservation and Plant Ecology at Wageningen University, part of Wageningen UR. >
Wageningenworld 27 Now Berendse is standing with Kees and Ans van ’t ‘I use the tractor as Klooster on the old Zuiderzee dyke north of Nijkerk. The professor and the farming couple have never met before. a birdwatching hide’ The discussion is animated: Berendse is an outspoken critic of agricultural nature management in the Netherlands while the Van ’t Kloosters are proud of what it has let them achieve for the meadow birds.
Godwit chicks running Redshanks have taken up position on a number of fence posts and are observing the visitors while a skylark sings up above. The Arkemheen polder stretching out in front of the visitors is a mix of different shades of green. Some irregular plots with sheep grazing are rough, dark green and full of sorrel, with flowering rush in the ditches. Other fields, littered with cowpats, are coloured lighter green while the fields mown last week are paler still. This variation in the grassland offers advantages to the mead- ow birds. ‘Sometimes we see godwit chicks running. Then we help them avoid the mower and run into a rougher field,’ explains Ans van ’t Klooster. This polder was reclaimed in around 1350 and was never affected by the statutory land consolidation which in- volved reallocating land. Winding creeks and zigzagging ditches reflect the old water courses through the wind- blown sand from the Gelderse Vallei to the former Zuiderzee bay. The polder borders the Arkemheen- Eemland National Landscape, run by nature management agency Staatsbosbeheer and the society for nature conser- vation Natuurmonumenten.
Opportunities for ruffs Mr and Mrs Van ’t Klooster have been running a dairy farm since 1981 and switched to organic farming in 1997. In partnership with several other farmers, they now farm 95 hectares, more than enough for grazing their 85 dairy cows and 45 young animals. But nature plays a key role here too. ‘Over there, by the old steam pumping station,’ says Van ’t Klooster, ‘the groundwater level is due to be raised by 30 centimetres.’ Frank Berendse sees that as a very important move. ‘This is a big step in the right direction. That will provide new opportunities for ruffs and snipes,’ he says enthusiasti- cally. ‘Soon you’ll see the fields turning pink again with all the ragged robins growing.’ The efforts to give nature a boost made by the Van ’t Kloosters come under the category of agricultural nature management. Arable farmers do it too, for example by sowing the edges of their fields with grasses and flowers. And hedge banks and brushwood are being preserved and restored all over the Netherlands to provide conditions Nest protection in the meadow. more conducive to the development of birds of prey and
28 Wageningenworld nature management
other fauna. The farmers in question conclude a manage- ‘Sometimes that may not directly benefit godwits or sky- ment agreement with the government and receive a grant larks but instead you may see great egrets or spoonbills to compensate for the loss of income. alongside the ditches or little bluethroats in the brush- But a few hedgerows here and ditch banks there is not wood,’ says Berendse. Sometimes you can make all the the way to go about it, says the Council in its recent advi- plans you want but the circumstances will dictate a dif- sory report. Agricultural nature management is only suc- ferent outcome. And sometimes things go wrong. cessful if applied across large areas and in places with For example, the downside to nest protection is that strong potential near nature reserves. predators such as foxes, stoats and weasels are able to find the nests, as are crows and harriers. That became Forty pairs of godwits clear a few years ago during camera surveillance of the Berendse had looked up the figures for 2011 in prepara- Van ’t Klooster family’s fields. ‘We had a fox’s den close tion for this meeting. The family’s nest protection has de- by. That might explain why we had a really bad godwit livered results: ‘Last year there were 40 pairs of godwits, year,’ explains Kees Van ’t Klooster. ‘In the end, 40 pairs of redshanks and 40 pairs of peewits on the close Staatsbosbeheer had seven foxes shot and things have to 100 hectares, a density as good as what you would find improved since then.’ in a nature reserve.’ A redshank calls the alarm. ‘There may still be chicks The Wageningen professor says this dairy farm is a good around,’ says the farmer. A little later, he picks up a pee- example of how it should and could be done. ‘Agricultural wit egg. ‘Look, the last peewit egg, that’s special too,’ he nature management will really get results if the farmland says with a smile, referring to the Dutch traditions sur- is part of a contiguous area where nature conservation rounding the first peewit egg. measures are in place, preferably with a nature reserve in ‘Will you be visiting again?’ ask Kees and Ans van ’t the vicinity, like the Arkemheen and Eemland meadow Klooster at the end of the walk. Berendse promises he bird reserve here. Variations in mowing, grazing, fertiliza- will. ‘We need to be more explicit about the precondi- tion and groundwater levels are clearly successful in a tions for successful nature on each farm and specify the grassland area like this. This gives me a good feeling.’ types of nature that offer most potential for particular These are strikingly positive words for an outspoken farm types. As Wageningen UR, we could also help critic. farmers develop a long-term view for the nature on their Ten years back, Berendse showed that agricultural na- farm and their farm income sources. That means we ture management had virtually no effect, in a study that ecologists need to collaborate more with agricultural made it into the journal Nature. ‘Farmers with a manage- economists.’ W ment agreement for nature management had hardly any more meadow birds on their land than farmers without Info: www.wageningenur.nl/agri-environment-schemes such an agreement,’ explains Berendse. Follow-up studies by Wageningen researchers con- firmed this. Taking 100 randomly chosen sites across the New nature policy in the Netherlands Netherlands, there was hardly any difference in the na- In the Nature’s Imperative report, which appeared last spring, the ture results between 2000 and 2010 achieved by farmers Council for the Environment and Infrastructure advocates setting long- who received grants for agricultural nature management term targets for nature policy and sticking to them. If adverse econom- and farmers without such grants. ic conditions mean there is less money available, alter the speed but Despite all the measures and grants, the population of not the goal: a sustainable future for nature in the Netherlands. godwits, the symbol of grassland areas, has fallen from The Council also wants to put an end to the technocratic set of instru- 125 thousand in the 1970s to 35 thousand now. Skylarks ments consisting of nature target categories and various other qualita- are down to only five per cent of their former levels. ‘The tive and quantitative details. Don’t fix the required number of godwits 40 million euros spent every year on grants are not justi- or ragged robins per hectare, instead make sure the basic conditions fied in terms of the restoration of biodiversity in farm- have been met, such as a large enough area with the right environmen- land,’ argues Berendse. tal quality and water. Then Nature will sort itself out. A striking feature is the low priority the Council gives to expensive Sometimes things go wrong measures such as ecoducts. It is much more important to expand and According to Berendse, Arkemheen is evidence that a di- improve existing nature areas and create regional nature networks: verse bird population can develop if the preconditions of clusters of nature areas with farming areas applying agricultural nature a sufficiently large area, sufficient clean water and suffi- management as buffer zones. cient variation in groundwater levels are met.
Wageningenworld 29 Refrigeration on much less energy
30 Wageningenworld impact
The shipping company Maersk is using 65 percent less energy to keep fresh ‘Quest keeps the produce cool, thanks to a new control quality at a system for keeping sea containers at satisfactory level the right temperature. for longer’ TEXT Alexandra Branderhorst Photography maersk and hollandse hoogte
very day, the vessels of shipping com- perature fluctuations. That way, the com- pany Maersk transport more than pressor is either running at the most E 240,000 refrigerated sea containers efficient speed or it’s turned off,’ explains carrying fruit, vegetables, meat, plants and Lukasse. He sees potential for the use of flower bulbs. Maersk is now using 65 per Quest II in road transport and chilled stor- cent less energy to do this, thanks to Quest age as well. II, a new control system for refrigerating containers developed by Wageningen UR Hundreds of tests Food & Biobased Research. The corre- The software’s predecessor, Quest I, had al- sponding CO2 emissions have also fallen by ready reduced the energy consumption of re- 65 per cent, a drop of around 350,000 tons frigerated containers by 50 percent. Quest II of CO2 a year. ‘That is a major achievement has added another 15 per cent to that and signifies substantial savings. Everyone achievement. gains from this,’ says Henrik Lindhardt, The researchers started on the development head of container innovation at Maersk of Quest II in 2009, in collaboration with Line. Maersk Line and Carrier Transicold, a manu- The new control method adjusts the inter- facturer of refrigeration equipment. Then nal air circulation and the activity of the re- hundreds of tests were carried out. In some frigeration compressor according to the cases, the products are actually fresher on ar- product’s cooling requirements and the rival with the new software than they were in heat load (which depends on the difference the past. ‘Quest keeps the quality at a satisfac- between the ambient temperature and the tory level for longer,’ says Lindhardt. desired temperature). ‘Especially if the cargo is warm when it is ‘In the past, the air was pumped round con- loaded into the refrigerated container. Take tinuously as fast as possible to minimize the bananas: we usually get them delivered at 30 temperature differences in the cargo. But degrees Celsius but they have to be transport- that is inefficient,’ says Leo Lukasse at ed at 13.5 degrees. The faster and more effi- Wageningen Food & Biobased Research. ciently we can cool them down, the better.’ ‘Sometimes the temperature outside is 20 Quest II haws now been installed in most of degrees and the container is supposed to be the Maersk fleet. ‘Another advantage is that at 20 degrees as well. Then you don’t need we can now load more refrigerated contain- to do anything.’ ers onto the same ship because they use less ‘Instead of having the refrigerated contain- energy,’ says Lindhardt. W er’s energy-guzzling compressor running non-stop, Quest II enables controlled tem- Info: www.wageningenur.nl/quest
Wageningenworld 31 The banana is under attack
The banana is not just the most popular fruit in the world, it is also the most endangered, due to two devastating fungal diseases. Wageningen researchers are trying to save banana cultivation.
text Marion de boo Photography CIAT Illustration schwandt infographics
he banana plants in the greenhouse of rain forest. Wagningen researchers are in Wageningen look well-watered working hard to find solutions for the ba- T and gleaming with health. ‘Aren’t nana cultivation sector, such as new, re- they gorgeous plants?’ asks researcher Gert sistant species. Kema, who leads the banana research pro- Kema: ‘The problem with the banana is that ject at Plant Research International, part of it is sterile. That makes breeding very diffi- Wageningen UR. ‘They are now about six cult.’ Wild bananas are inedible because months old and just starting to flower. they are bursting with seeds. Cultivated ba- Look, we know that this specimen is re- nanas are seedless and sterile. They are sistant to Panama disease. Now we are good to eat but are not easy to cross-breed working hard to find the resistance gene.’ because they are triploid, with all their chro- Compared with any other major crop, the mosomes occurring in threes. This means breeding of bananas is years behind, ac- that the set of chromosomes cannot easily cording to Kema. ‘In spite of a crying need be split into two, which hinders reproduc- for innovation in order to protect harvests tion. This sterility has an impact on banana and food security.’ cultivation too, with an endless monocul- Banana plants are very susceptible to fungal ture of one banana clone, the Cavendish va- diseases. Spraying can help sometimes but riety, in evidence on banana plantations infected plantations often have to be aban- around the world. It is as if they were all doned. The biggest culprits are two devas- cuttings from the same mother plant and tating fungal diseases, Black Sigatoka and they are highly vulnerable to fungal Panama disease. Commercial banana plan- diseases. tations are increasingly sprayed with fungi- cides against Black Sigatoka – up to 50 to 70 Sweeter bananas times a year, with all the known risks to hu- For more than 400 million people in tropi- man health and environment that this en- cal countries, the banana (Musa acuminata) tails. And once Panama disease sets in the is not a luxury snack but a staple food. soil can remain infected for 30 years. Up to After wheat, rice and maize, bananas are now the only answer was to abandon the in- the world’s fourth biggest food crop, with fected plantation and plough up a new tract 100 million tons produced every year.
32 Wageningenworld plant health science
About 15 percent of those bananas find spread from Central America. Banana culti- Cavendish variety. This banana is less fla- their way to supermarkets in the US and vation in Latin America collapsed, with voursome, more perishable and prone to Europe. The five biggest banana exporters massive unemployment as a result. damage in transit, but it is resistant to are Ecuador, Costa Rica, Colombia, the Panama disease is spread by the soil-borne Panama disease. The whole transport chain Philippines and Panama. There are also fungus Fusarium oxysporum, which worms had to be overhauled: while Gros Michel millions of small farmers in over a hundred its way into the plant through its roots. bananas were shipped by train or boat in 50 countries growing bananas for home con- Infected plants die off and the soil remains kilo bunches, Cavendish bananas need re- sumption and the local market. Until half- infected for decades. If the farmer plants a frigerated containers and specially stabi- way through the last century a different new banana plant there it will die within lized pallets in refrigerator ships. The banana was on sale in the shops, the sweet- two months. sector was dealt a fresh blow in the nine- er and creamier Gros Michel. This variety The successor to the Gros Michel on plan- teen nineties when the Cavendish banana was wiped out by Panama disease, which tations around the world was the succumbed to a new strain of Panama >
The same banana clones are growing on plantations all around the world BANANA TRADE UNDER THREAT
The banana is a major food crop. Fungal diseases are posing a serious threat.
Global production
After wheat, rice and maize, the Additionally, millions of small Biggest producers banana is the world’s fourth farmers in more than 100 Biggest banana exporters Banana biggest food crop, at a countries (Africa, South-east (Musa acuminata) production rate of 100 million Asia) grow bananas for the local tons per year. market.
About 15 percent is for export to the US and Europe.
India China Costa Rica Panama Colombia Uganda Philippines Equador Cameroon Tanzania Indonesia Brazil
Threats
Black Sigatoka Panama Disease
Fruit ripens too fast, Plant dies off. therefore not fit for export. Soil fungus Fusarium oxysporum Fungal spores penetrates the plant Mycosphaerella fijiensis through the roots. The Airborne, penetrate the soil remains infected for plant through the leaves. up to 30 years.
Remedy: spraying c. 60 Remedy: no pesticide. times per year (on Abandoning infected commercial plantations). plantation and digging up Cost: c. 400 million new tract of rainforest. dollars per year.
Research
Difficult to breed resistant varieties. Resistance genes against Black Sigatoka taken from tomatoes are Global cultivation of monocultures of the built into the banana plant. same clone (mainly the Cavendish variety).
Cisgenesis: in future, researchers want to Cultivated bananas: Wild bananas transfer species-specific resistance genes sterile and seedless, (inedible due for these diseases from wild bananas into cannot be cross-bred. to seeds) cultivated bananas.
34 Wageningenworld plant health science
disease, which spread rapidly through The topics Kema’s research group is looking Indonesian researchers to see whether it is south-east Asia and parts of Australia. Its into include exactly how the fungus species possible to manage micro-level life in the arrival in Africa and South America can attack the bananas, what makes some ba- soil so as to suppress the fungus that causes only be a matter of time. And the Cavendish nanas resistant, how the fungi spread and Panama disease. Work is also being done on is not the only banana that is susceptible to how Mycosphaerella fungus populations on biological soil disinfection, following the ex- Panama disease; the same goes for cooking plantations react to being sprayed. ample of what has been done in the aspara- bananas and many other local varieties. There are soil scientists involved in the gus sector. Wageningen banana research too. They are Faster ripening investigating the influence of soil quality on Genome published The fungal disease known as Black Sigatoka the disease. Meanwhile, social scientists are In a further effort to counter the threat to the is on the march too. This leaf spot disease looking at the relations between large and banana, Kema and an Australian professor caused by the Mycosphaerella fijiensis emerged small-scale banana growers, in order to be have joined forces to launch a company in the nineteen twenties in the Sigatoka able to draw up good plans for managing called Musaradix. The company’s mission is Valley on the Fiji islands. The fungal spores Panama disease at regional and national to improve banana varieties by building re- are spread through the air and germinate in levels. sistance genes from wild bananas into them damp weather on the leaf, penetrating the using genetic modification. Research fund- plant through the stoma and spreading all over the world ing from Musaradix is being used for work throughout it in fine threads of fungus. A Kema ended up in banana research pretty by Plant Research International in plant infected with Black Sigatoka ripens much by coincidence. He already had 20 Wageningen. ‘I am one of the initiators of fast and the bananas can be harvested but years’ experience in research on a related the genome project for bananas,’ explains not exported because they are already too Mycosphaerella fungus, which causes a leaf Kema. In the wake of the publication in ripe and will be rotten by the time they reach spot disease in wheat, when he was ap- Nature of the complete genome of the ba- the shop. This fungal disease has now proached by Corbana, Costa Rica’s national nana plant by a French-led international spread around the world. Large banana pro- banana cooperative, through a Wageningen consortium last year, genes for such charac- ducers often use planes to spray their planta- soil scientist who had done doctoral re- teristics as disease resistance and fruit quali- tions, spending about 400 million dollars a search in Costa Rica. Since then he has been ty are easier to locate. One highly promising year on fungicides. Kema: ‘This intensive travelling all over the world trying to interest discovery is that a resistance gene in toma- spraying is tragic for an ecotourism paradise governments, research institutes, banana toes recognized the fungus that causes Black such as Costa Rica. The fungicides spread cooperatives and multinationals in banana Sigatoka in bananas. This gene is now being into the environment through the water- research. ‘Bananas hold an imaginative ap- built into the banana plant. ways. What is more, the frequent spraying peal but research on them is still in its infan- ‘We wanted to put resistance genes against makes the fungus resistant to the substances cy.’ Two of the first sponsors are the Black Sigatoka and Panama disease from that are used. Big producers are spraying Dioraphte foundation and the Groenen wild bananas into cultivated bananas too,’ more and more frequently, making things go Woudt foundation. Kema recently started says Kema. ‘That is called Cisgenesis: the re- from bad to worse. Small farmers have an four large-scale international research pro- searcher takes a species-specific gene, exact- even harder time because their bananas are jects involving millions of euros worth of ly the way breeders have been doing for just as susceptible but they usually cannot grants. Eight researchers, about 15 PhD stu- hundreds of years, and puts it into an estab- afford to spray them.’ dents and two postdocs are now at work in lished market variety.’ Wageningen, collaborating with global part- ‘Resistance is the main aim, but characteris- ners on finding solutions for large and small tics such as taste and shelf life are interest- banana growers. One of the projects aims at ing as well, of course. With funding from identifying resistance genes in wild bananas the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation, my and unraveling the resistance mechanisms Australian partner is working on enriching in these plants. Three years ago, Kema’s bananas with vitamin A in order to combat group already presented a fast DNA test for blindness in the Third World. I think that’s a tracking down infection with Panama dis- wonderful approach. We work on the princi- ease in plant material in a couple of hours ple that resistant material should be made Bananas are a staple instead of four months. Now the results can freely available to non-exporting banana be obtained in a few minutes even. This countries. By doing that we can help small food for more than technology is now being launched on the farmers too.’ W market in the Philippines. At the same time, 400 million people research is ongoing together with Info: www.wageningenur.nl/banana-cultivation
Wageningenworld 35 1989
Kees van Ast, Cees Veerman and Cees Karssen were given cardboard ears to help them listen better.
p until the start of the nineteen nineties, the DLO an ‘alliance’, noting pointedly that their Veterinary institutes and the agricultural university were no Science faculty rejected as many students in any one year Umore than neighbours. There was no need for me- as enrolled in Wageningen overall. diation, but the relationship was not exactly close. The university was responsible for fundamental research and flirting teaching while the institutes (most of which were also Five years ago, Van Aartsen told the Wageningen univer- based in Wageningen) gave the Ministry of Agriculture sity magazine Resource in an interview that at the time the advice and did applied research for the private sector. Ministry of Education had been in favour of a takeover There was the occasional border dispute but on the by Utrecht. Jo Ritzen, the Education minister, repeatedly whole the two coexisted peaceably without much inter- brought up the subject of the falling student numbers in action. Until 1996, when the Minister of Agriculture, cabinet meetings. His staff had long been exasperated Jozias van Aartsen, ordered them to set up house by the fact that agricultural education was outside the together. scope of his ministry. They found this arrangement il- Insiders say nobody disputed at the time that something logical and expensive. But Van Aartsen, helped by the needed to be done with Wageningen. DLO and the uni- minister of Economic Affairs Hans Wijers, would not versity were each too small to continue as independent budge so Ritzen gave up. He probably also assumed the entities, let alone build up an international reputation. university’s position was so hopeless that it would end The institutes were running at a loss but it was the uni- up in the arms of Utrecht anyway. When things eventual- versity that gave the most cause for concern. The intake ly turned out differently and Wageningen started flirting was getting smaller every year. The number of students with DLO, Utrecht even sent an angry letter. The Utrecht fell from 6700 in 1987 to 3800 in 1997. In 1996, the board accused the university in Wageningen of being too board of Utrecht University even sent a letter proposing ‘standoffish’, as a result of which ‘the agricultural uni-
36 Wageningenworld wageningen ur jubileE
95 years of Wageningen University history A fruitful marriage of convenience
Fifteen years ago it was chiefly the university that was sceptical about the prospect of close collaboration with the agricultural research institutes. Former rector Cees Karssen was given a rough ride by angry professors. ‘I think you can see now that we didn’t make bad choices,’ says ex-director Kees van Ast in part three of the series on 95 years of Wageningen UR history. Text Korné Versluis Photography apa foto
versity was running the risk of becoming too unattrac- what their problems were because I thought that was tive a prospect in the marriage market’. Wageningen’s raison d’être.’ In 1995, in a restaurant near The Hague, Jozias van Anyway, the choice was clear in Karssen’s opinion. If the Aartsen told the agricultural university directors that he university was not prepared to join up with DLO, the would be asking the politician Bram Peper to advise on only other option was Utrecht and there would not be what to do with the agricultural university, DLO, the ex- much left of the university then. perimental stations and the agricultural universities of DLO had very different worries in the mid-nineties. The applied science. But Van Aartsen did not put forward a institutes, which included LEI, Rikilt and the institutes detailed proposal. ‘He was much too smart for that,’ that went on to become Alterra and Plant Research says former rector Cees Karssen now. A concrete pro- International, were part of the Ministry of Agriculture. posal generates more resistance than an exploratory But they were now to become autonomous: no more study. drip-feeding with public money, instead they would have to bring in more funds themselves with contract re- selling the merger search for the private sector. The impending autonomy Cees Karssen used the threat from Utrecht to sell the had been talked about for a long time but now Van merger with DLO to sceptical professors, who feared Aartsen decided the time had come for action. Wageningen would no longer be a real university if it Senior civil servant Kees van Ast had been tasked with had to merge with the institutes. ‘I was not afraid of making DLO self-financing. When it turned out that the that. I thought Wageningen’s added value lay in making institutes would also have to merge with the university, the connection between fundamental research and spe- Van Ast simply treated that as a given. ‘No, I never con- cific applications. When I was a professor of plant phys- sidered alternatives. Not doing this just wasn’t an iology, I used to visit the seed companies to find out option.’ >
Wageningenworld 37 1876 1877 1918 P H o t gelderla n d biblio heek P H o t gelderla n d biblio heek
The founding of the National agricultural testing centre, National Higher Education College of agricultural college the forerunner of today’s institutes. Agriculture becomes an academic institution
In the end Bram Peper recommended appointing one consultation meetings, he had no intention of making board for both DLO and the university. That board would any major changes to his plans. They were not used to be responsible for arranging a merger between the two this at the democratically run university. So while organizations in short order. The identity of two of the Veerman was clearly not a man to avoid conflict, the members of the new board was soon clear. Karssen was board members hardly ever fell out on anything, say Van the only university board member still in office, the other Ast and Karssen. ‘I’ve never worked in such an effective two having retired while Peper was working on his plan, and pleasant team in my entire career as when we were without being replaced. ‘So then it was just me.’ The the three Keeses,’ says Karssen. ‘We never got in each two-man DLO board was also down to one man since the other’s way’. Van Ast: ‘Veerman said when he was ap- illness of the director Mannes Heuver, so Van Ast be- pointed that he wasn’t a details man; someone else came the second member of the new board. After six would have to take on that job. So that’s what I did.’ months of uncertainty, Cees Veerman was appointed The university remained sceptical about the plans for chairman of the team, which now became known infor- some time, says Karssen. ‘Many people were afraid fun- mally as ‘the three Keeses’. damental research would suffer. Lots of the professors Veerman not only had an arable farm, he had already thought ‘applied’ was a word to be avoided if at all possi- managed a merger operation at The Greenery, an auction ble.’ The atmosphere at DLO was more accommodating. house, he was a professor holding an endowed chair at ‘It was the director of the animal sciences institute ID- Tilburg and he was adviser to a number of companies. Karssen: ‘I don’t think anyone else would have managed it. Veerman had just the right network among politi- cians, universities and agricultural organizations. I didn’t know anyone in the farming community.’ ‘I talked until I was Never any arguments Veerman caused a wave of culture shock by immediately blue in the face but getting rid of two institute directors and telling the uni- versity staff that while he was prepared to attend their there was no support’
38 Wageningenworld wageningen ur jubileE ad p ho t o aar n es t 1938 1986 1998 P H o t s p P H o t gaw/ha n s p i j ks ra
Ministry forms Agricultural Higher Education College DLO and University merge to form Science Services (DLO) of Agriculture becomes Wageningen UR Agricultural University
Lelystad who insisted we include the word ‘university’ in no other option than to accept it and go on with the the name. So the working title of Wageningen plan.’ Knowledge Centre eventually became Wageningen The cutbacks only served to increase the feeling of dis- University & Research centre, normally shortened nowa- content among the staff already, says Karssen. ‘There days to Wageningen UR. was no support at all. I talked until I was blue in the face, explaining we didn’t have a choice and this was budget cut what the minister had decided but I don’t think I con- The new board had its first big setback in 1998. In the vinced anyone at the time.’ Van Ast: ‘Cees Karssen had a negotiations for the new Purple II coalition government tough time of it. He did have doubts whether we were (in which the left-wing ‘red’ social democrats formed a on the right course but he soldiered on.’ coalition with the right-wing ‘blue’ liberals), it was Fifteen years on, Van Ast, who is now vice chairman of agreed that the university should have its budget cut by the University of Twente, and Karssen, who is retired, more than 20 million guilders. This was after the three look back on those eventful initial years with satisfac- Keeses had sold the merger to the mistrustful university tion. The university has more students than ever – there staff by explaining that there really was no secret agen- were 7500 enrolled on 1 October 2012 – and the former da behind the merger plans and all efficiency savings board members say Wageningen UR benefits from the from the partnership would be ploughed back into integration of fundamental and applied research when teaching and research. bidding for research funding. In the end, Karssen had to call on 25 professors and tell Van Ast: ‘I can remember us sitting in the Junushoff them they would be losing their chairs. ‘A miserable pe- with enormous cardboard ears that protesting students riod,’ he says looking back. ‘It was just before had put on our heads. One group after another came to Christmas and we went from one department to the tell us how stupid we were. I think you can see now that next telling them the bad news. Awful.’ Van Ast: ‘We we didn’t make bad choices. The basic structure we were furious. The ministry had always promised us we came up with then is still in place and Wageningen is would be able to invest the efficiency benefits in new de- attracting more students. And I don’t think academic velopments. But that promise was obviously of no use freedom has suffered.’ Karssen: ‘If we hadn’t done this now. We reviewed the situation and decided there was then, the university would no longer exist.’ W
Wageningenworld 39 Crop scientists 23 years on Growing sugar beets and transporting spare parts
They both came to study Crop Science at Wageningen because they wanted to improve crop yields. Ali Fehmi Soygeni from Turkey became an international sugar beet expert. His classmate Felix Osae-Danso from Ghana lives in the Netherlands and made an international career in logistics. But he still dreams of improving food security back home.
TeXt ALEXANDRA BRANDERHORST PHotograPHY josje deekens and anadolu/lineair
he Turkish economy is booming and sector and I recognized that agriculture was to forecast yields with the aid of computer the population is growing, so we will very important.’ So he went off to Atatürk programs. ‘Studying at Wageningen con- ‘ Tneed more food. University in Erzurum in 1975 to do a tributed to my analytical approach and ca- Agriculture is one of the most important Bachelor’s degree in Field Crops. After pacity to evaluate agricultural matters.’ sectors, but it needs more technical devel- graduating, Soygeni got a job as an agro- opment,’ says Ali Fehmi Soygeni over the technical consultant for sugar beet growers. Assembling boxes phone from Ankara. He came to ‘I was working in small villages, advising Soygeni ’s Wageningen classmate Felix Wageningen in 1990 for the Master’s pro- farmers on how to improve the yield,’ he re- Osae-Danso from Ghana had completed a gramme in Crop Science and then went on members. After ten years on the job, he got Bachelor’s in Crop Science at the University to a career as a sugar beet expert. the opportunity to study in Wageningen, of Science and Technology in Kumasi. His ‘Sugar beet is a major crop in Turkey. Three thanks to an agreement on technical educa- family does not have a farming background out of a thousand people grow sugar beet tion between the Dutch and Turkish either. But if you grow up in the developing and the fields are usually small. Only 10 per- governments. world, you can easily relate to things that cent of the sugar beet crops here are har- Soygeni arrived in Wageningen in 1990 and have an impact on people’s lives, Osae- vested by combine harvester. Most of the was joined a few months later by his wife Danso says. ‘Crop science appealed to me harvesting is still done by hand,’ Soygeni and firstborn child. He still keeps in touch because I wanted to be able to contribute to explains. with the Dutch family that helped them find improving crop yields.’ His family has a history in the sugar indus- their way around in Wageningen. ‘By now I Shortly before the start of his studies at try. ‘That is why I got diabetes; sugar is in have visited 33 countries and Dutch people Wageningen, Osae-Danso met his future my blood,’ Soygeni laughs. Born and raised are among the best in Europe. They are very wife, who was studying Aquatic Ecology in as a city boy in Ankara, a degree in agricul- helpful and communicative. The Nijmegen. They got married and have two ture was not the most obvious choice for the Netherlands is my second homeland.’ He children, he tells me in their home in Ede, young Soygeni . ‘I had never been on a acquired many new skills at Wageningen, close to Wageningen. farm, but I was interested in the business such as how to give presentations and how During his Master’s course, Osae-Danso >
40 Wageningenworld Life after wageningen
‘You have to keep learning Felix Osae-Danso Age: 50 smarter ways of Studied: MSc Crop Science 1991 – 1992 doing things’ Work: Regional Freight Manager for Europe and CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States: former Soviet Republics) at Sandvik Mining & Construction > ‘My studies contributed to my analytical approach’
Ali Fehmi Soygeni Age: 56 Studied: MSc Crop Science 1991 – 1992 Work: Agrotechnical representative and consultant on seeds, herbicides and pesticides for sugar beet crops in Turkey and surrounding countries Life after wageningen
Where do crop scientists end up? Between 1989 and 2003, 206 people graduated with an MSc in Crop Sciences. We know what 77 of those graduates are doing now. One third of them work at a university and an- other one fifth at a research institute, while one tenth are employed by an agricultural or breeding company. Almost 10 percent work for a foreign government and 7 percent for an international development organization. Source: KLV Wageningen Alumni Network
specialized in entomology. After graduating need special storage facilities and have to be 2011 Soygeni suffered a heart attack and re- he wanted to proceed to a PhD, but there kept on dry ice, for example, is completely tired from his job at Syngenta. Now he was no funding for the project he had his different from transporting computers or works as an independent consultant on eyes on. Osae-Danso: ‘If anybody had told mobile phones.’ sugar beet crops. He also represents anoth- me then that I would not work as a crop sci- er international sugar beet seed company in entist, I would have been very angry.’ Tired Breaking a monopoly Turkey and Azerbaijan as well as a company of waiting for project funding, he got a tem- For Soygeni , unlike his classmate, his that manufactures herbicides and pesti- porary job in production at a warehouse in Wageningen Master’s degree proved crucial cides. ‘I am still enjoying myself, but I Ede. There he was assembling boxes and to his career. When he returned to Turkey would like to work for a company again. I filling them with Styrofoam padding for he became a researcher, planner and chief need a regular income in order to support Apple computers. engineer at Turkish Sugar Factories Co in my family.’ His daughter is an economist ‘I was just happy to have work and do some- Ankara. At the same time he was working and his son wants to become a diplomat, so thing useful.’ on his PhD research at Ankara University. In the family tradition of working in the sugar Osae-Danso made the most of his work as a 1999 he got a job as department manager industry will now at last be broken. temp and climbed up the ladder from the sugar beet at Syngenta Seeds. ‘Without my bottom rung. After the company was relo- course at Wageningen University, I would Help people cated, he got the chance to help build up the not have had any chance of working for an Since March this year, Osae-Danso works production line and became supervisor of international company.’ for Sandvik Mining & Construction, a the laser printer production line. ‘I was re- His new employer, Syngenta Seeds, had no leading global supplier of equipment and sponsible for forty people. When it expand- market share in Turkey. First Soygeni had technical solutions for the mining and con- ed and I became supervisor of six to break the 50-year monopoly of the state- struction industries. He is responsible for production lines, it became a serious thing.’ supported supplier of sugar beet seeds. ‘It transporting and delivering spare parts in Through in-house training Osae-Danso was not easy. We brought it to the national Europe. ‘A spare part can be as small as a gained more theoretical background in competition board, and in the end they got coin or as big as a tank,’ he says, with illus- manufacturing and supply chain manage- fined. Today, there are eight international trative gestures. ‘We have to find the safest ment and made a shift to people and pro- sugar beet seed companies on the market. and most cost-effective means of transport.’ cess management. In 1997 he found a job as As a result growers can purchase high qual- For the last twelve years Osae-Danso has customer service manager at the fast grow- ity varieties. The Turkish sugar sector and been home to his birth country on vacation ing network equipment company Cisco. ‘It economy are profiting a lot from these every year, and he sees a lot of progress and was the time of the internet boom; I could changes.’ development. ‘In the past Ghana had only really grow there.’ He ended up as logistics Subsequently, Soygeni succeeded in en- three universities. Now there are tons of manager. larging the market share of Syngenta from universities. More and more people are get- ‘A lot of common sense goes into logistics,’ zero to 50 percent in 12 years. ‘It was one of ting educated.’ He dreams of setting up a explains Osae-Danso. ‘You have to keep the most remarkable successes during my food processing company in Ghana. ‘There learning smarter ways of doing things. career.’ is a lot of waste versus a lot of scarcity. In a There are a lot of parties in the chain, get- He travelled a lot too, because the area he good season, for example, there are toma- ting things picked, packed and delivered. covered included countries like Azerbaijan, toes and maize in abundance, but storage Somebody has to be in control and keep an Syria, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. facilities are inadequate.’ In the future overview.’ ‘To be successful you have to know the crop Osae-Danso wants to set up a factory to In the years to come Osae-Danso worked as itself, the agricultural system in the country, store and process products and sell them in a logistics manager for a series of compa- the customers and their mentality, the prob- the dry season when there are food shortag- nies including DSM Food Specialties and lems and the competitors.’ es. ‘If you can level out those peaks, you can Nokia. ‘Transporting food ingredients that Unfortunately the hard work took its toll. In help the people.’ W
Wageningenworld 43 Growing international alumni community
Throughout 2013, events are being held around the world to celebrate the 95th anniversary of Wageningen University. In Ethiopia and Chile the alumni meetings resulted in the formation of new alumni circles. Debates in other countries will follow. ‘It made me feel like I am still part of Wageningen
University.’ Text alexandra branderhorst Illustration jenny van driel
AGENDA 2013 | Events worldwide to celebrate the 95th anniversary of Wageningen University
Washington D.C., Wageningen University, United States Wageningen, October/November The Netherlands Alumni event and debate on Climate Smart Agriculture Davis,California, Beijing, China United States, 27 September 7 November Alumni Event and Alumni event and Debate on Nutrition debate on Innovations Security in Nutrition and Health Brussels, Belgium, 31 October Alumni event and debate on Climate Smart Agriculture Holambra, Brazil Jakarta, Indonesia 7 November 11 October Alumni event and Alumni event and debate on Waste in debate on The Green Horticulture Economy
Santiago de Chile, Chile, 31 May Accra, Ghana Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Alumni events and 13 December 25 September debates about the Alumni event and Debate on Nutrition Chilean and Dutch debate on Curriculum Security agrifood sector Development
44 Wageningenworld alumni relations
Growing international alumni community
t was a great opportunity to meet each March. ‘We want to form a strong formal fining the future of agricultural develop- other in Chile. We learned about new network among the Ethiopian Wageningen ment in China.’ I trends‘ in the field of research and devel- alumni, to enhance cooperation and net- opment and about the projects being run by working,’ explains Tessema form Ethiopia. Green gold Wageningen UR at the moment,’ recalls He did an MSc and a PhD in Agricultural Further alumni events will be held this year Tatiana Mateluna, a Wageningen alumna Economics and Marketing in Wageningen in Indonesia, Brazil, the US, Belgium and who attended the reunion in Chile on 31 and works as an assistant professor at Ghana. A debate entitled 'The Green May. The reunion took place during Haramaya University. The meeting in Economy: Capitalizing on green gold' will ‘Wageningen Week,’ which also marked the Ethiopia, which was about the reduction of take place in Jakarta on 11 October. ‘The first anniversary of the Wageningen UR post-harvest food losses, was attended by economy will increasingly be based on sus- Chile office in Santiago de Chile. 30 alumni. Tessema: ‘The theme and the tainable and renewable resources. The The week started with a symposium about further discussions in the presence of rec- biobased economy is about the efficient use the Chilean and Dutch agrifood sector, tor magnificus Martin Kropff were very ex- of resources,’ explains Huub Löffler, direc- which was attended by 200 people. It was citing. The meeting made me feel like I am tor of Wageningen International. He will be followed two days later by a symposium still part of Wageningen University.’ one of the keynote speakers and is helping about biomass and the alumni meeting to prepare the ground for the debate. with speeches, a debate about the role of Important positions ‘Biomass can be called green gold, as it con- Chile in the biobased economy and an in- Following the success of these two events, tains many high quality pharmaceutical ele- formal buffet. The meeting attracted 30 Asia is next in line. In China, home to al- ments, for example. It is a waste to just burn alumni. most 500 registered alumni, an event is that as biofuel.’ ‘Due to relatively long distances and busy planned in Beijing on 27 September. The The technological, social and economic po- agendas, the alumni in Chile had never met theme of the debate in China, organized tential of biomass will be discussed at the before,’ emails Mateluna, who helped or- with the help of Friesland Campina and the meeting, Löffler adds. ‘We will discuss how ganize the event. She completed the MSc in Dutch embassy, is Nutrition Security. it can be used as efficiently as possible, how Ecological Agriculture in 2002 and works as ‘Problems with nutrition security are not as scientific knowledge can be put into practice an independent consultant on fair trade, so- visible as those with food security, but it is a and how it can be used for the economic de- cial corporate responsibility and organic growing issue in China. A good diet means velopment of society and of Indonesia in farming. ‘This was an opportunity to reu- not just sufficient amounts of food, but also particular.’ W nite all the alumni and to create more links all the right nutrients. Children can be between Chile and Holland, to generate obese and suffer from malnutrition at the More information at: www.wageningenur.nl/en/ new ideas, to exchange knowledge and cre- same time,’ explains Xiaoyong Zhang. She Alumni/Areas-of-expertise/Anniversary/Debate- ate new collaborative projects,’ Mateluna did a degree and a PhD in Consumer worldwide.htm states. That is why she is now helping to set Behaviour in Wageningen and now works at up an alumni group in Chile. The network Wageningen International as business de- also aims to motivate new Chilean students velopment manager in China. She is there- to study in Wageningen, she adds. fore helping to organize the Wageningen ‘An opportunity to anniversary celebration in Beijing. Exciting meeting Informal alumni networks already exist in generate new ideas Chile is not the only country where alumni China, says Zhang. ‘But this meeting is have established a new alumni circle. much bigger and more formal. Some peo- and collaborative Ethiopian alumni took the same step after ple who will come already have important the alumni meeting in Addis Ababa on 26 positions and play an important role in de- projects’
Wageningenworld 45 Wageningen in the world! alumni portal Greetings from Personal touch on the Mongolia! alumni portal Caroline la Chappelle is reading Wageningen World in front of her ger A personal profile on the alumni in Mongolia. She graduated in Land portal now makes it possible to find and Water Management in 1997, after and to keep track of fellow students studying for her degree part time. She of old. visits Mongolia six times a year as project director of Euroconsult Mott The alumni portal is part of the new Macdonald, which monitors the projects Wageningen UR website, www.wagenin- of the Millennium Challenge Account, genur.nl. The portal provides news and a United States bilateral development information about activities for graduates of programme. Wageningen University, part of Wageningen ‘We make sure the projects meet UR. It is also possible to create a ‘profile’ international standards in terms where you can log in to change your per- of environment, safety and social sonal details and make them visible. aspects,’ emails La Chapelle. The It is easy to trace old university friends from Wageningen UR institutes or depart- projects include the building of 176 through the portal and to link up on the ments. This issue of Wageningen World is ac- kilometres of road, the renovation of social media. Alumni can also use their pro- companied by a letter giving a brief guide to hospitals and schools, the updating files to sign up for alumni gatherings in the creating a profile. of power stations, and agricultural Netherlands or abroad, or for newsletters Info: www.wageningenur.nl/en/alumni development. ‘Also, the stoves used in the gers, the tents the Mongolians live alumni online in, are being replaced. The new stoves burn briquettes of compressed wood. Ten thousand alumni on LinkeIn and Pinterest They are much cleaner than the coal The Wageningen University Alumni group Another web page worth visiting is the that is generally used at the moment, on the business networking website new Pinterest page http://pinterest.come/ while they provide the same amount of LinkedIn already has more than 10,000 wageningenuni. Here there are photos heat.’ members. Participants in this interactive and videos of the campus, of open days, of Are you reading this magazine far from group receive news about the university other events and of students and research- Wageningen too? Send the evidence to and advance notice of regional meetings. ers. There are historic photos too. Under [email protected] Under the heading ‘promotion’, alumni ‘alumni and ambassadors’ you will find can place their own announcements about photos and videos of reunions and alumni training course, conferences and publica- meetings. The collection of images on tions. More substantial questions and Pinterest is sure to grow! If you happen calls can be posted under ‘discussions’. to have a photo of historic interest, email Vacancies are announced as well. [email protected]
ACTIVITIES World lecture on cooperatives Are cooperative the business model for professor of Cooperative Entrepreneurship at 2020? This is the subject of the World Wageningen University, part of Wageningen Lecture (in Dutch) on Thursday 3 October UR, and by historian Tine de Moor, profes- in Wageningen. Over the past 10 years many sor of Institutions for Collective Action in cooperatives have been set up in the health- Historical Perspective at Utrecht University. care and agriculture sectors as well as in new The World Lecture at hotel De Wereld on forms such as energy collectives. The success Thursday 3 October is organized by KLV of this kind of collaborative will be explained and Wageningen Ambassadors. Free en- by agricultural economist Ruud Huirne, direc- trance: sign up at www.wereldlezingen.nl tor of Food&Agri Nederland Rabobank and Language: Dutch.
46 Wageningenworld Alumni
Jubileum wageningen UR Brief return to Wageningen The campus took a bit of getting used to for some alumni, but fond memories dominated during the reunion organized by Wageningen University, part of Wageningen UR. ‘Fantastic to get this invitation; I’ve already spotted a lot of familiar faces.’ text yvonne de hilster
Some had come to meet up with their old flatmates, others were curious to see what the university was like now. On Friday 14 June, more than 700 alumni gathered in Orion, the newest education building on Wageningen Campus, for ‘Welcome Back to Wageningen’, a reunion as part of the cel- ebrations to mark the university’s 95th an- niversary and 750 years since the town was granted city rights. The Orion lecture theatre during Welcome Back to Wageningen. Chairman of the Board Aalt Dijkhuizen gave the returning alumni a glimpse of Wageningen’s current situation, including the forecast further growth in student num- bers from eight to ten thousand. This was followed by a programme in which alumni could choose from lectures, a guided tour of the campus or a visit to the town centre. meeting up ‘The university has moved with the times,’ says a group of former KSV members wan- dering around campus. The group have used the reunion as an opportunity to meet up. The bond between them is strong enough that they do not need old buildings to bring back memories: ‘If I close my eyes and just listen to their voices, it takes me right back,’ says René Bastiaansen (enrolled 1981). Other people walking around campus ini- tially feel more as if they are on a visit rather Pho t o’s g uy acker m a n s than returning to their roots. ‘It’s a nice campus but it could just as easily have been his student years – a stool he saved from a raised 2450 euros by attending and paying Utrecht,’ is how Cornelie Hemmes (enrolled skip outside Duivendaal 1 when ‘his’ depart- for the buffet. A cheque for that sum was 1984) describes her feelings. She can still ment moved. ‘It’s fantastic to get this invita- handed over by Dijkhuizen to the Anne van remember all that cycling from building to tion, with a great programme of lectures and den Ban Fund. The university also surprised building. ‘And if you saw people you knew a tour of the campus. I’ve already spotted a former Rural Extension professor Anne outside a cafe, you would end up stopping lot of familiar faces.’ van den Ban with a Silver Medal of Honour, there,’ she laughs. The extensive buffet dinner in the Hof van granted in recognition of his exceptional, Richard Mentink (enrolled 1964) still has a Wageningen hotel to end the day gave plenty lifelong contribution to the mission of souvenir that serves as a daily reminder of of opportunity for catching up. The alumni Wageningen University.
Wageningenworld 47 Personalia
Ruud Barth MSc, Radboud University cial appointment of Plant Metabolomics at and Rural Innovation, has won the Nijmegen Artificial Intelligence 2011, a Wageningen University. 1 June 2013. Multifunctional Agriculture Study Prize for computer vision researcher at Wageningen his Master’s thesis on on nature conserva- UR Greenhouse Horticulture, has won the Jan Helder MSc, WU Zootechnics 1975, tion and development in South Africa and EMVA (European Machine Vision has been appointed Knight of the Order of the Ooij polder. 28 May 2013. Association) Young Professional Award for Orange-Nassau. 25 May 2013. his work on detecting broccoli ready for Lidi Remmelzwaal MSc, WU Human harvest in the field. 25 May 2013. Ms W.A. Jongbloed MSc, WU Horticulture Nutrition 1975, has been appointed Dutch 1959, has been appointed Knight of the Ambassador in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Gonne Beekman MSc, WU International Order of Orange-Nassau. 19 June 2013. 1 September 2013 Development Studies 2009, was awarded an incentive prize by the Izaak Korteweg Prof. Jusuck Koh, Seoul National Evan Spruijt MSc PhD, WU Molecular and Anna Ida Overwater Fund for experi- University Architecture, professor in the Sciences 2008, has won the Challa mental research on the effects of rural de- Landscape Architecture science group at Polymer Award for his doctoral thesis on velopment programmes. 13 May 2013. Wageningen University, has retired. 30 May the attraction forces in complex coacer- 2013. vates. 18 March 2013. Maria Cuaresma Franco PhD, WU PhD 2011, was awarded an incentive prize by Johan Stapel PhD, Radboud University the Izaak Korteweg and Anna Ida Overwater Nijmegen Biology 1991, researcher at Fund for her doctoral research on how to IMARES Wageningen UR, has been ap- improve the efficiency of photosynthesis by pointed director of the Caribbean microalgae. 13 May 2013. Netherlands Science Institute (CNSI), part of the NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute Anton Franken PhD MBA, WU for Sea Research. 16 May 2013. Phytopathology 1984, member of the board of KLV Wageningen Alumni Network, Prof. Roel Veerkamp, WU Zootechnics
has been appointed a member of the exec- Pho t o L ex D rai j er 1991 and working at Wageningen UR utive board of HU University of Applied Anne Koning Livestock Research, has been awarded Sciences Utrecht. 1 September 2013 the honorary title of Visiting Professor in Anne Koning MSc, WU Forestry Numerical Genetics by the Scottish organ- Robert Hall PhD, University of Edinburgh 1994, has taken up office as a member of ization for agricultural research SRUC. Plant Biology 1980, professor at the the Upper House of the Dutch Parliament 5 July 2013. Laboratory of Plant Physiology at on behalf of the PvdA (Dutch labour party). Wageningen University, part of Wageningen 18 June 2013. Arnold van Vliet PhD, WU Biology UR, and Bioscience director at Plant 1996, has been awarded the Gilded Research International, part of Wageningen Thijs Pasmans BSc, WU Biology 2010 Wageningen Honorary Silver Medal. UR, has been appointed professor by spe- and Master’s student WU Development 13 June 2013.
In memoriam
J.A. Baarspul MSc, WU Tropical Rural 1954, passed away at the age of 86. passed away at the age of 19. 18 April 2013. Economics 1962, passed away at the age 23 January 2013. J. van Selm MSc, WU Land Development of 77. 4 March 2013. J.W. Lackamp PhD, WU Agricultural Plant 1958, passed away at the age of 83. G.L.A.M. de Bont MSc, WU Human Breeding 1942, passed away at the age of 20 June 2013. Nutrition 1978, has passed away. 95. 15 July 2013. A.H.J. Siepman MSc, WU Horticulture A.W.J. Bosman MSc, WU Forestry 1968, P. Loos MSc, WU Land Development 1965, 1956, passed away at the age of 87. passed away at the age of 71. passed away at the age of 73. 3 February 2 July 2013. 30 April 2013. 2013. J.H.M. Temmink PhD, WU Phytopathology A.H.L. Geerards MSc, WU Horticulture J.P. van Male MSc, WU Agricultural Plant 1966, passed away at the age of 74. 1969, passed away at the age of 69. Breeding 1954, passed away at the age of 19 April 2012. 7 May 2012. 85. 10 June 2013. H. Timmer MSc, WU Tropical Rural N.H.A. Greve MSc, WU Land Development Paul Rooijakkers, BSc student WU Tourism, Economics 1961, has passed away.
48 Wageningenworld Alumni
medal research Silver medal for VENI grants On 23 July 2013, the Dutch Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) awarded Anne van den Ban Veni grants of up to 250,000 euros for innovative research to eight scientists Ex-professor of Agricultural Extension Introduction to Extension was translated at Wageningen University who recently Anne van den Ban received the Silver into 13 languages and is considered a gained their doctorates: Medal on 14 June for his valuable ser- standard work. After 1983, Van den Ban vices to Wageningen University, part of worked for Unesco as an advisor on Christina Ankjaergaard PhD, University Wageningen UR. sustainable development. He was also of Copenhagen Solid State and Radiation Van den Ban (WU Economics 1953) co-founder and board member of the Physics 2006, working in the Soil played a crucial role in the development Anne van den Ban fund, which has been Geography and Landscape science group of agricultural extension. Between 1964 enabling promising Master’s students at Wageningen University, and 1983 he was professor of Extension from developing countries to study in Marian Bemer PhD, Radboud University Studies at Wageningen, and his book Wageningen since its inception 1992. Nijmegen Biology 2003, working at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology at Wageningen University, Klaas Bouwmeester PhD, WU Biotechnology 2002, working at the Laboratory of Phytopathology at Wageningen University, Colette Broekgaarden PhD, WU PhD 2008, working at the Laboratory of Plant Breeding, Mireille van Damme PhD, WU Plant Breeding and Crop Protection 1999, work- ing at the Laboratory of Phytopathology at Wageningen University, Kathleen Neumann PhD, WU PhD 2010, working in the Geo-information Science and Remote Sensing science group, Eveline Verhulst PhD, University of Groningen Molecular Biology 2006, work- P H o t g uy acker m a n s ing at the Laboratory of Genetics, Anne van den Ban (l) receives the silver medal from Aalt Dijkhuizen. Niels Verhulst PhD, WU Plant Breeding and Crop Protection 2003, working at the awards Laboratory of Entomology. Storm-van der Chijs stipends VIDI grants On 18 April 2013, three stipends and one honourable distinction were On 21 May 2013, the Dutch Organization awarded to four talented female PhD students at Wageningen University. for Scientific Research (NWO) awarded Vidi grants of up to 800,000 euros for the devel- Nora Sutton MSc, opment of their own line of research to: Utrecht University Environmental Chemistry 2008 Leonie Bentsink PhD, WU PhD 2002 Natalie Theeuwes MSc, and working at the Laboratory of Plant WU Meteorology and Air Quality 2010 Physiology at Wageningen University Anne van Loon MSc, Rinke Stienstra PhD, WU Nutrition and WU Soil, Water and Atmosphere 2006 Health 2002 and working in the Division Susan Boonman-Berson MSc, of Human Nutrition at Wageningen
WU Forestry 2002 (honourable mention). P H o t g uy acker m a n s University
Wageningenworld 49 ACTIVITIES
KLV and the future Info: klv.nl/en (unless indicated otherwise)
KLV is thinking about its future as the 16 September alumni association of Wageningen. What Young KLV – Course - CV writing ALUMNI ASSOCIATION does the alumnus of the future need and what is KLV’s role in this? And also: what 19 September Young KLV – Masterclass – Speed reading is the relationship between KLV and Wa- 100 % smart geningen UR? We put these questions to Delia de Vreeze, head of the Department 24 September Young KLV – Workshop – Presentation skills IN 2020 for Alumni Relations & Funds and director of the Wageningen University Fund. 25 September Vereniging Tropische Bossen – People first Delia de Vreeze. Photo: Bart de Gouw Moving from being interesting towards taking an interest in tropical forests? Are we on the right track? “Which role I see for KLV? An active and healthy alumni association helps shape the The focus of this seminar is on sustainable forestry development approaches that are People have always formed groups and ‘Wageningen feeling’. It superbly compliments the alumni policy of Wageningen UR. If rooted in real life situations, perspectives done things together. But how they do alumni translate their connection with the university into a membership of an alumni and potentials of people and their forests this is changing. KLV is busy setting up a association then added value is created because they will participate in a social and in situ. More info: tropischebossen.nl strategy for the future. How can we as business network of like-minded people. Meeting each other and learning from each an alumni association meet the wishes other is important for both the university and the alumnus. Therefore over the next 27 September and requirements of different genera- few months we will be working on a stronger link between the alumni association and Kennisnetwerk Milieu – Lectures - DNA in the Dutch delta tions of graduates in a rapidly changing the alumni policy of Wageningen UR.” Part of Lecture Series ‘Hot topics in environ- society? And is an alumni association mental quality’. still relevant? Yes it most certainly is More info: kennisnetwerkmilieu.nl thinks Marike Kuperus, who works on What is KLV’s added value? processing. How they make links is often 3 October issues affecting the association. But “Nowadays you do not need an associa- more story based than theory based. In Young KLV – Workshop – Debating skills then in a different form. “Previously tion to come into contact with people: doing this they do not look for traditi- 3 October an association’s primary task was to be LinkedIn and Google can do that for you. ons but for authenticity, for ‘genuine’ VWI – King’s Castle: debate with leading interesting and now it needs to take an As an association you should no longer try stories. You can see that associations are men on female talent at Wageningen UR interest.” to pull people in but instead you should responding to this by digging up their Following the evening with Leading Ladies a the Queen’s Palace, a group of Leading Lords reach out and be active in those activities stories; they are drawing upon their will shine their light on the barriers and Which trends do you see? Marike Kuperus. Photo: Martin Rudolph your target groups are engaged in. For histories and responding to the desire for careers of women at Wageningen UR. “People no longer join a group as a matter example, that means being actively attributes such as community, warmth 8 October of course. Associations have noticed that people take part in that because it is negative but people will only find you involved in discussions on LinkedIn and and familiarity. And that story immedia- Young KLV – Workshop – Negotiating skills for many years in their membership da- tough, to show how much sponsor money interesting if you respond to their needs. responding to new needs and new target tely forms a bridge between the different 10 October tabases. This does not mean that people they have collected, from a sense of You need to see this as an exchange. If groups, such as the self-employed. Or in generations.” Young KLV – Workshop – Networking and no longer want to group together. Nothing personal commitment but also from the you attract the right people then they in the present crisis thinking about people personal branding could be further from the truth. Howe- feeling that they are doing something for turn will be happy to make their energy, who have lost their job or have just In the autumn of 2012, Marike Kuperus gave 11 October ver they group in a far more fragmented cancer research.” passion and network available to the graduated and cannot find a job. Why not the lecture ‘New generations, new networks, Kennisnetwerk Milieu - Lectures - Veteri- manner based on a wide range of partial association. You can only develop such a link such people to an experienced men- Association moving towards 2020’. nary pharmaceuticals and anti-microbial identities in which self-interest plays a Opportunity or threat? personal relationship with your supporter tor from a sector rich in opportunities? Further information: kuperusenco.nl resistance Part of Lecture Series ‘Hot topics in environ- particularly important role. ‘Me me’ is my “Of course this personalisation forms base if you know your target groups re- There is plenty of willingness to help; in mental quality’ term for this. People are proud of who a risk for traditional associations. The ally well. I expect that such an exchange general people are quite happy to provide More info: kennisnetwerkmilieu.nl they are and profile their own identity as automatic connection is lost; the message can be realised in Wageningen circles. an introduction or to act as a mentor but You can read more KLV news in KLV Update, the journal for KLV members. 15 October a means of finding people with whom they ‘you should become a member, that’s the And if you have the feeling that you are you do need to approach them directly Young KLV – Work Search have something in common. The are quite done thing’ no longer works. Yet it is also failing to attract a certain target group about this on an individual basis. From now on, KLV update will also be Cafe - for starters & willing to do something for higher values an opportunity if you manage to find the then start by asking twenty people what However, the up-and-coming generation appearing in English. If you would like a young professionals or purposes but they want to determine right groups as an association and give attracts them and what puts them off. If of twenty something (sometimes referred sample copy, send an e mail to what these are and give these a personal the impression: we need you and we are you engage in their interests then they to as the ‘reset generation’) have a com- [email protected] touch. Take for example Alpe d’HuZes: doing your thing. It might sound a bit will be interested in you.” pletely different approach to information (while stocks last).
Go to klv.nl/membership WANT TO BECOME A MEMBER? ACTIVITIES
KLV and the future Info: klv.nl/en (unless indicated otherwise)
KLV is thinking about its future as the 16 September alumni association of Wageningen. What Young KLV – Course - CV writing ALUMNI ASSOCIATION does the alumnus of the future need and what is KLV’s role in this? And also: what 19 September Young KLV – Masterclass – Speed reading is the relationship between KLV and Wa- 100 % smart geningen UR? We put these questions to Delia de Vreeze, head of the Department 24 September Young KLV – Workshop – Presentation skills IN 2020 for Alumni Relations & Funds and director of the Wageningen University Fund. 25 September Vereniging Tropische Bossen – People first Delia de Vreeze. Photo: Bart de Gouw Moving from being interesting towards taking an interest in tropical forests? Are we on the right track? “Which role I see for KLV? An active and healthy alumni association helps shape the The focus of this seminar is on sustainable forestry development approaches that are People have always formed groups and ‘Wageningen feeling’. It superbly compliments the alumni policy of Wageningen UR. If rooted in real life situations, perspectives done things together. But how they do alumni translate their connection with the university into a membership of an alumni and potentials of people and their forests this is changing. KLV is busy setting up a association then added value is created because they will participate in a social and in situ. More info: tropischebossen.nl strategy for the future. How can we as business network of like-minded people. Meeting each other and learning from each an alumni association meet the wishes other is important for both the university and the alumnus. Therefore over the next 27 September and requirements of different genera- few months we will be working on a stronger link between the alumni association and Kennisnetwerk Milieu – Lectures - DNA in the Dutch delta tions of graduates in a rapidly changing the alumni policy of Wageningen UR.” Part of Lecture Series ‘Hot topics in environ- society? And is an alumni association mental quality’. still relevant? Yes it most certainly is More info: kennisnetwerkmilieu.nl thinks Marike Kuperus, who works on What is KLV’s added value? processing. How they make links is often 3 October issues affecting the association. But “Nowadays you do not need an associa- more story based than theory based. In Young KLV – Workshop – Debating skills then in a different form. “Previously tion to come into contact with people: doing this they do not look for traditi- 3 October an association’s primary task was to be LinkedIn and Google can do that for you. ons but for authenticity, for ‘genuine’ VWI – King’s Castle: debate with leading interesting and now it needs to take an As an association you should no longer try stories. You can see that associations are men on female talent at Wageningen UR interest.” to pull people in but instead you should responding to this by digging up their Following the evening with Leading Ladies a the Queen’s Palace, a group of Leading Lords reach out and be active in those activities stories; they are drawing upon their will shine their light on the barriers and Which trends do you see? Marike Kuperus. Photo: Martin Rudolph your target groups are engaged in. For histories and responding to the desire for careers of women at Wageningen UR. “People no longer join a group as a matter example, that means being actively attributes such as community, warmth 8 October of course. Associations have noticed that people take part in that because it is negative but people will only find you involved in discussions on LinkedIn and and familiarity. And that story immedia- Young KLV – Workshop – Negotiating skills for many years in their membership da- tough, to show how much sponsor money interesting if you respond to their needs. responding to new needs and new target tely forms a bridge between the different 10 October tabases. This does not mean that people they have collected, from a sense of You need to see this as an exchange. If groups, such as the self-employed. Or in generations.” Young KLV – Workshop – Networking and no longer want to group together. Nothing personal commitment but also from the you attract the right people then they in the present crisis thinking about people personal branding could be further from the truth. Howe- feeling that they are doing something for turn will be happy to make their energy, who have lost their job or have just In the autumn of 2012, Marike Kuperus gave 11 October ver they group in a far more fragmented cancer research.” passion and network available to the graduated and cannot find a job. Why not the lecture ‘New generations, new networks, Kennisnetwerk Milieu - Lectures - Veteri- manner based on a wide range of partial association. You can only develop such a link such people to an experienced men- Association moving towards 2020’. nary pharmaceuticals and anti-microbial identities in which self-interest plays a Opportunity or threat? personal relationship with your supporter tor from a sector rich in opportunities? Further information: kuperusenco.nl resistance Part of Lecture Series ‘Hot topics in environ- particularly important role. ‘Me me’ is my “Of course this personalisation forms base if you know your target groups re- There is plenty of willingness to help; in mental quality’ term for this. People are proud of who a risk for traditional associations. The ally well. I expect that such an exchange general people are quite happy to provide More info: kennisnetwerkmilieu.nl they are and profile their own identity as automatic connection is lost; the message can be realised in Wageningen circles. an introduction or to act as a mentor but You can read more KLV news in KLV Update, the journal for KLV members. 15 October a means of finding people with whom they ‘you should become a member, that’s the And if you have the feeling that you are you do need to approach them directly Young KLV – Work Search have something in common. The are quite done thing’ no longer works. Yet it is also failing to attract a certain target group about this on an individual basis. From now on, KLV update will also be Cafe - for starters & willing to do something for higher values an opportunity if you manage to find the then start by asking twenty people what However, the up-and-coming generation appearing in English. If you would like a young professionals or purposes but they want to determine right groups as an association and give attracts them and what puts them off. If of twenty something (sometimes referred sample copy, send an e mail to what these are and give these a personal the impression: we need you and we are you engage in their interests then they to as the ‘reset generation’) have a com- [email protected] touch. Take for example Alpe d’HuZes: doing your thing. It might sound a bit will be interested in you.” pletely different approach to information (while stocks last).
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Transferring potato knowledge in Argentina Applied Plant Research (PPO), part of companies in the field to demonstrate the Argentinians came to the Netherlands to spend Wageningen UR, is very involved in the potato profitability of the Dutch approach to growing three weeks acquiring knowledge about grow- sector in Argentina. The involvement started seed potatoes and of new harvesting and ing potatoes. ‘After that they will go back to five years ago with support for farmers, for storage methods. ‘We expect this collabora- their country to develop knowledge networks example in the fight against Phytophthora. tion, Gitah Papa, to lead to a win-win situa- there so that Dutch know-how on potatoes can ‘We showed that during dry spells you do tion. Farming and processing in Argentina spread like an oil slick,’ says Schepers. ‘We not have to spray against the disease every are flourishing and the better established are working on this with the PTC+ training cen- week,’ says Huub Schepers of PPO. ‘That is a our Dutch knowledge is, the more orders will tre in Dronten and with funding from the Dutch step towards more sustainable potato farm- come in for our businesses.’ ministry of Economic Affairs.’ ing.’ By now PPO is collaborating with Dutch At the beginning of September, eight Info: [email protected]