First seedlings planted in Floating Deltas on the Weerwater

Floating Deltas on the Weerwater has entered a new phase. Since last week, the first seedlings have been floating in the Living Lab in Almere. As a consortium partner, Food Pioneers is involved in the project, which explores how we can produce food locally and innovatively in places where space is limited and pressure on agricultural land is increasing.

Research into food production on water

Near Price Circulair, a prototype floating food island is located on the Weerwater. Floating Deltas is investigating the feasibility of growing crops on water, the nutritional value of these crops, and how consumers respond to this form of food production.

The reason for this research is clear: the global population is growing, while available space is under pressure in water-rich deltas and densely populated urban areas. At the same time, the need for a resilient food system is increasing. Growing food on water may offer interesting possibilities. For example, startup and consortium partner Floating Islands is also exploring opportunities in the Caribbean, where land scarcity is a major issue and food security depends heavily on imports.

The first practical results

Back in 2022, Food Pioneers provided support through a knowledge voucher for the development of an initial prototype of a floating food island on the Weerwater, at the time still under the name Floating Future. Now it is time for the next step: sowing and monitoring what happens.

During a consortium meeting last week, the first seeds were planted, including beans. In the coming period, the consortium will monitor how these crops develop and how their nutritional value compares to that of conventionally grown vegetables.

Looking for a partner to take the first harvest

The consortium is currently looking for a party interested in taking the first harvest once it is ready. Do you know an organisation, entrepreneur or initiative that might be interested? Please get in touch with us.

Floating Deltas is a collaboration between, among others, Wageningen University & Research, AMS Institute, Aeres Hogeschool, Floating Islands, Food Pioneers, Gemeente Almere and Provincie Flevoland.