Agriculture & Beekeeping

Of the 1,200 PUM experts who voluntarily share their knowledge, a substantial number specialise in agriculture. This includes areas such as crop production, plant breeding, seed supply, and agricultural machinery.

Beekeeping is another field in which PUM has built solid expertise. While it stands on its own, it also complements agricultural practices—through pollination, biodiversity, and sustainable land use.

We work with a wide range of clients across the agricultural sector: farmers and foresters, plant breeders, seed suppliers, and machinery providers.

Areas of expertise

Agriculture – From seed to harvest

Technical advice

• Soil fertility; application of fertilizer, compost
• Crop protection; application of pesticides
• Water management / irrigation
• Post-harvest / storage
• Sustainable agriculture & horticulture / forestry

Advice on inputs

• Choice of seeds; species/cultivars
• Choice of fertilizers
• Choice of phytosanitary products / pesticides
• Choice of machines

Agriculture

• Staple crops: potatoes, onions, maize, cereals, etc.
• Forest, timber and non-timber products
• Tree products: apples, cocoa, oilseeds, stone fruits (mangos), hazelnuts, etc.
• Products from the bushes: pineapple, coffee, tea, etc.
• Nursery
• Propagation material: seeds, young plants, grafts – for agricultural crops

Beekeeping – Helping the bees, helping the land

Keeping bees is practiced by hundreds of people in the Netherlands as a profession or a hobby. Together, Dutch beekeepers have 40,000 to 80,000 beehives spread all over the country. By managing their hives, they ensure the pollination of all sorts of vegetables, fruit and seed crops.

The annual total beekeeping turnover for the Dutch economy is estimated at 1 billion euro. However, the income of the beekeepers for this service is relatively low and the economic yield of the honey is also negligible in comparison with the contribution honeybees make to agriculture and horticulture. Furthermore, the honeybee is also very valuable for nature in the Netherlands. Honeybees pollinate about 15% of wild plants. Some of these plants mainly depend on honeybees for seed formation and thus for their survival. This makes man-kept bees crucial for biodiversity in nature. The beekeeping profession has changed drastically since the Industrial Revolution due to the influx of machinery. And as time has progressed, the machinery that has been developed has become more advanced and affordable. Equipment like honey extractors, wax extractors, bee smokers, presses, filters, storage equipment and protective clothing have advanced. These innovations have made beekeeping affordable, profitable and easier to do.

Beekeepers, advisors and teachers who have been working in the Dutch beekeeping sector, some of them with considerable international work experience, are experts at PUM. Not only is their equipment very advanced, but their methods used to cultivate and harvest the honey are state of the art as well.

Professional people for positive impact

Looking to grow your business or organisation sustainably and build a brighter future for your community? Contact one of our representatives in your country for criteria, more information and guidance on the application process.