Jaap Delleman

Sometimes you must take a step back to see more clearly where you stand. My recent journey through Argentina allowed me to do just that. I visited the country ten years ago, shortly after the completion of the Gitah Papa project. At the time, Dutch knowledge helped Argentine growers to progress in cultivation techniques and supply chain organisation.

Now, a decade later, the picture has fundamentally changed. What stands out most is the technological leap. Precision agriculture, digital field monitoring, advanced sorting lines, and more pro­fessional storage systems show that Argentina is no longer a follower. The country has evolved into a mature player that not only applies knowledge but actively develops itself further.

This prompts reflection on the Netherlands. Our strength still lies in a highly organised supply chain, strong quality standards, and a reliable certification system. Organisations such as the NAK illustrate the importance of structure, data, and certification in international trade. That foundation remains valuable, but it is no guarantee for the future.

Argentina also shows how rapidly competition can grow once technology becomes widely accessible and markets become more globalised. Globalisation is reducing distances. Countries that once produced mainly for regional markets, are now increasingly focusing on export and processing. The potato is a global crop, and within that sector, knowledge spreads at remarkable speed.

The comparison between pampas and polder is therefore not a contrast, but a mirror. Argentina shows the power of scale and ambition, and the Netherlands the strength of structure and reliability. The real advantage lies not in what we already know, but in our ability to keep innovating.

To progress we must keep travelling, not only in the physical world, but in our thinking too. Beyond our own fields, it becomes clear how dynamic the potato world actually is and how important it is to stay in motion. ●