Greenhouse impact cluster project officially launched in Bangladesh

The official launch of the Greenhouse Impact Cluster project, a pioneering public-private initiative between Dutch and Bangladeshi partners, took place during the BIDA Investment Summit in Dhaka and the Best of Bangladesh event in Amsterdam.

The project, coordinated by Dutch Greenhouse Delta (DGD), marks a significant step towards developing sustainable and resource-efficient crop cultivation practices in Bangladesh's horticultural sector.

The project's core is developing a mid-tech demonstration greenhouse, supplemented by a training program in Bangladesh. The facility, to be established this year at the ACI R&D Centre in Mawna—approximately 60 km north of Dhaka—will serve as both a training and demonstration centre showcasing sustainable food practices.

This collaboration brings together expertise from leading Dutch and Bangladeshi organisations, demonstrating close cooperation between both nations. From the Netherlands, the consortium includes AgrowSer VDH Foliekassen BV, Hoogendoorn Growth Management BV, Bayer | De Ruiter Seeds BV, Koppert Biological Systems BV, Lentiz, and Dutch Greenhouse Delta (DGD), which also serves as the project coordinator. Their Bangladeshi counterparts in this initiative are Advanced Chemical Industries (ACI) and Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU), the latter acting as the local knowledge partner.

The project receives funding and strategic support from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Dhaka.

The project was officially introduced in Bangladesh during a kickoff session at the BIDA Investment Summit on 10th April, in the presence of Dr Mohammad Ullah Mian, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture (Bangladesh), H.E. Ambassador Andre Carstens, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh, Dr. F H Ansarey, President, ACI Agribusiness and Ms. Sara van Hoeve, Senior policy officer – Economic Affairs & Private Sector Development, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh.

Following the project kickoff in Dhaka, it was officially introduced in the Netherlands at the Best of Bangladesh event on 18th April in Amsterdam, in the presence of H.E. Ambassador Tareque Muhammad, Ambassador of Bangladesh in the Netherlands, and project partners' representatives. During this symbolic launch, all partners reaffirmed their commitment to the project by placing their logos around the Bangladesh map, a gesture celebrating the strength of international collaboration in advancing sustainable agriculture.

The Impact Cluster is part of the Dutch government's multi-year sectoral approach, the combi-track. This approach supports impactful entrepreneurship in emerging markets. Through the Impact Clusters subsidy programme, tangible projects are developed to foster sustainable private sector development.

With its fertile delta and growing demand for food, Bangladesh faces pressing challenges such as urbanisation, climate change, and food security. The Impact Cluster responds to these by focusing on protected horticulture, aiming to strengthen food systems, reduce waste, and enhance export potential.

The demonstration greenhouse is expected to be completed later this year, and training and knowledge exchange activities will commence shortly thereafter.