BASF and UM join forces on durable vegetable growing

BASF's vegetable seed company and Maastricht University (UM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate in the Brightlands Future of Farming Institute (BFFI). The aim of the cooperation is to study sustainable production systems in interaction with plant genetics, to deliver vegetables with optimal consumer characteristics such as taste and health. The focus of the institute will be on plant functional genomics, plant envirogenetics and circular horticultural systems. From mid 2021 the institute will start its activities in a new facility on the grounds of the Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo.

Strengths

"We see the opportunity to do research with modern facilities near our headquarters in Nunhem and expand our knowledge by working with partners who share our vision," says Andreas Sewing, Vice-President Research & Development of BASF's vegetable seed business. "We need a deep understanding of how the genetic composition of vegetables relates to the environment and how we can influence it. As with many technical and scientific questions, this can only be done in a multidisciplinary research environment. Adding technology and engineering to Maastricht University's existing strengths in the field of healthy food and food innovation is directly in line with our ambition to make healthy eating attractive and sustainable".

World food problem 

With the new institute, Maastricht University is contributing to the technological innovations needed to find answers to the major social issues in the agrifood sector. One of the biggest challenges is to find solutions to feed the world's population in 2050 in a healthy, safe and sustainable way. In Venlo, the forces of the region, the UM and the Brightlands campus will be combined. Researchers and students work in the heart of the Brightlands community, surrounded by companies active in the agrifood sector.

"Our collaboration with BASF is a good example of joining forces in line with our goal. By combining botany and technology, the institute will further enhance the region's innovative strength and contribute to the technological innovations that are needed," says Thomas Cleij, dean of FSE (Faculty of Science and Engineering).

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