Collaboration in horticulture - Knowledge Centre #Lentiz #Kenlog

1. Fresh Academy in Vietnam
Dutch-Vietnamese collaboration
in the
horticulture sector
Toon Keijsers
Velp, 19th November 2015
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A challenging collaboration

3. 3
Why?
1. Logical, next step, following on various
previous projects/networks (Fresh Studio)
2. Fits with the Dutch government policy
(transition from aid to trade) and related to
the Dutch agenda in Vietnam (HortiViN)
3. Fits with the desired (sustainable)
development direction of the Vietnamese
agriculture & food sector

4. 4
Characteristics
• Co-funded by the Dutch government
• Own contributions and investments from all
partners
• First focus: knowledge/skills development
• Spin-off: business development /
involvement of the private sector

5. 5
Goals
1. A solid business case for the Fresh Academy, based
on commercial principles 1)
2. Capable leadership, training staff and training
programs (curricula)
3. Sustainable cooperation between Dutch and
Vietnamese knowledge & private sector partners
1) The focus in this project is on protected horticulture, but the concept should be
applicable for other sectors as well, such as arable crops, animal husbandry,
aquaculture

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Dutch project partners

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Dutch project partners
Education partners
HAS University of Applied Sciences
Lentiz Education Group
Wageningen UR / PPO
Private knowledge partners
Demokwekerij Westland
Kenlog BV
Supporting enterprises
VDH Foliage Greenhouses, Luiten Screens, Priva, Metazet FormFlex, Koppert Biological
Systems, Rijk Zwaan
Supporting public institution
Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RvO)

8. 8
Vietnamese project partners

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Vietnamese project partners
Education partners
Vietnam National University of Agriculture – Ha Noi
Da Lat University - Lam Dong
Nong Lam University - Ho Chi Minh City
Dong Thap University- Mekong Delta
Private knowledge partner
Fresh Studio
Supporting enterprises
Horticulture sector in Lam Dong and Dong Thap provinces
Growers/entrepreneurs participating in Fresh Academy
Supporting public institutions
Local Governments (PPC) Lam Dong and Dong Thap provinces

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Collaboration in practice…
1. Shared project goals & unique partner goals…
2. Complementary expertise & rivalry/competition…
3. Dutch approach & Vietnamese (business) culture
4. Leading professionals & respecting professionals…
5. Open partnerships & resources, contracts & control…

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Collaboration in development…
1. Project approved with Dutch & Vietnamese partners
2. Building of Dutch & Vietnamese teams!
3. Fresh Academy ToT trajectory (2015 – 2017)
4. Fresh Academy business development
5. The moment(s) of truth (2017 and beyond)

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Collaboration “wisdom”…
1. Accept “a bit more of the blame” and a “bit less of the
fame”…
2. Understand collaboration dimensions:
• Continuity (# contact moments, short & long term)
• Context (e.g. power relations in VN)
• Commonality (shared goals, short & long term)
3. “Experience is the name we give to our mistakes” (Oscar
Wilde)

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Experience RvO
1. More PPP projects in emerging markets and
development countries
2. Partners for International Business
3. Close cooperation with NL embassies

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Your Experience?