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BIOGREENETNews

Field trial visit at Viaverda showcases innovations in organic greenhouse cultivation

On August 4, 2026, a field trial visit on protected vegetables took place at Viaverda in Belgium as part of the BIOGREENET project. This engaging and educational afternoon focused on knowledge sharing and practical experience.

A group of participants wearing white protective coveralls stands inside a greenhouse during a guided tour. An EU flag and a Viaverda banner are visible above the group.

Participants explore Viaverda’s greenhouse research facilities during the BIOGREENET field trial visit. (Photo: Lieven Vancoillie)

A speaker presents to an audience in a meeting room. A Viaverda banner stands beside a projection screen displaying a presentation.

Presentations covered current challenges and innovations in organic greenhouse production.(Photo: Lieven Vancoillie)

Participants seated at tables in a meeting room attend a presentation during the field trial visit. Several attendees take notes or work on laptops while facing the speaker.

Growers, researchers and other stakeholders attend the presentation programme at Viaverda.(Photo: Lieven Vancoillie)

Image 1: Participants explore Viaverda’s greenhouse research facilities during the BIOGREENET field trial visit.

Participants learn about ongoing greenhouse research during the guided tour of the greenhouses and the tunnels. (Photo: Lieven Vancoillie)

Participants wearing protective coveralls gather outside a greenhouse tunnel while a speaker demonstrates cultivation practices using plants and materials displayed on a table.

Practical demonstrations highlighted innovative approaches to organic protected vegetable cultivation. (Photo: Lieven Vancoillie)


A group of participants wearing white protective coveralls stands inside a greenhouse during a guided tour. An EU flag and a Viaverda banner are visible above the group.
A speaker presents to an audience in a meeting room. A Viaverda banner stands beside a projection screen displaying a presentation.
Participants seated at tables in a meeting room attend a presentation during the field trial visit. Several attendees take notes or work on laptops while facing the speaker.
Image 1: Participants explore Viaverda’s greenhouse research facilities during the BIOGREENET field trial visit.
Participants wearing protective coveralls gather outside a greenhouse tunnel while a speaker demonstrates cultivation practices using plants and materials displayed on a table.

The field trial visit at Viaverda in Belgium brought together around thirty growers, company representatives, policymakers and researchers. The afternoon began with topical presentations, followed by a guided tour of the greenhouses and tunnels.

Company experts share their experience

Fleur Bruinen from Little Spider explained how spiders can be used as natural biological pest controllers. Peter Kerkhof from LEDsProtect demonstrated how UV light traps support the efficient scouting and monitoring of harmful insects. Annelies Christiaens from Viaverda then explored the potential of LED sticky traps and automatic pest recognition technologies to make site-specific pest detection faster and more accurate.

Kurt De Rodder from Koppert followed with an overview of new products and innovations, sharing particular insights into the management of true bugs. Marleen Delanoy from the Agency for Agriculture and Fisheries highlighted recent legislative developments, including updates to the digital plant protection register and the current status of copper use in organic farming.

In-house experts weigh in

Representing Viaverda, An Van de Walle explained an integrated approach to managing cucumber mosaic virus and discussed strategies to strengthen cucumber plants against powdery mildew. Elise Vandewoestijne from Viaverda complemented the programme with an overview of different wastewater purification techniques aimed at reducing environmental impact.

Tour of greenhouses and tunnels

Following the theoretical part, a guided tour of the greenhouses and tunnels took place. Elien Van den Bossche from Viaverda emphasised the importance of strong networks for stimulating innovation in the sector, addressing the greening of inputs in greenhouse horticulture with a focus on alternative fertilisation and the use of biostimulants in the cultivation of tomatoes and celery respectively. The potential of multifunctional service crops in organic greenhouse vegetable cultivation was also discussed.
Jeroen Van Mullem from Viaverda presented the results of his research into the innovative cultivation of ginger, focusing primarily on variety selection and weed suppression. An Van de Walle from Viaverda then presented the results of her research on variety selection and weed suppression in organic bell pepper cultivation.
The visitors then proceeded to the tunnels, where An Van de Walle explained how to attract beneficial insects in organic tunnel cultivation. She also delved deeper into the challenges surrounding the monitoring of harmful versus beneficial true bugs.

Finishing with time for connection and networking

The field trial visit concluded with a networking session featuring snacks and drinks. In a relaxed atmosphere, participants continued to discuss the themes covered and exchange experiences and knowledge with fellow growers, researchers and other professionals specialising in innovative protected vegetable cultivation.

Contact

Elien Van den Bossche, Viaverda

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