Seed breeding companies in Seed Valley continue to grow: but how do you get staff?

Just a few numbers. Seed Valley is a collaboration of 39 companies that are directly or indirectly engaged in the development of mainly vegetable, but also flower seeds. The industry has a combined turnover of 1.5 billion euros, 3,500 employees and is active in 35 countries worldwide. More than half of all vegetables in the world come from Seed Valley seeds.

“This sector is tackling problems. And we do that quite well. A sector with a future, a goal and career opportunities,” says Erik Jan Bartels, general manager of seed improver Incotec from Enkhuizen. He is also the new chairman of Seed Valley. He succeeds commercial director of Enza Zaden, Hein Bemelmans. A good time to look back on 15 years of Seed Valley with the two of them, but also to look ahead.

A future full of challenges. Because the enormous growth of the sector also creates a complicated task: finding staff. Because about 400 vacancies have to be filled every year. No sinecure in times of major staff shortages.

With your feet in the mud image

Seed Valley has been around for 15 years now. A collaboration between companies that partly compete with each other. With the aim of putting the sector further on the map and thus finding the right personnel. Because no matter how many possibilities there are according to the companies, there is still the image of working with your feet in the mud.

“There is of course that work too,” says Bartels. “But it is also very much high-tech. The food supply has to increase. But we have to deal with less water, nitrogen, climate change and more efficient use of energy. We can make an enormous contribution to that.”

When Seed Valley started, the focus was mainly on recruiting students at universities and HBO courses. But now we are also looking at collaborations with Vonk vocational school, for example.

“In the fifteen years of existence you also see the transformation from a shortage of the right people to a shortage of people. We are a fast-growing industry and Seed Valley is more relevant than ever,” says Hein Bemelmans. “We are dealing with both outflow and a high demand for employees due to growth,” adds Erik Jan Bartels.

‘More and more sexy’

Despite the efforts of the past 15 years, the staff shortage has only increased. There are currently more than a hundred open vacancies. Still, both men see bright spots.

“I always give as an example: my grandfather worked to survive, to feed his family. My father had to go into hiding during World War II. That generation wanted their children to have a better life. I had to study, my goal was to make a career. But when I look at my son and his peers, they are concerned with sustainability. How do we keep the world afloat. This is how Seed Valley is becoming more and more sexy,” says Bemelmans.

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We also look at how young people can be reached even better. “Via social media, for example. We show personal stories from employees there. That appeals more than a brochure,” explains Bartels. “We also have the Seed Valley Talks in which professionals share their insights about developments in the seed sector. A kind of motivational speeches. If we then hear that secondary schools want this as teaching material, then there is the opportunity to become the first interest of young people.”

Robotization and automation

And what also helps, according to Bartels, is that many of the challenges for the future lie with the seed companies. “Sustainability is extremely important. Crops that grow at an increased salt content survive periods of drought. Robotization and automation,” he lists a few examples.

“Biotechnology is becoming increasingly important. In ten, fifteen years, perhaps sooner, we will know everything about DNA. Then a lot will be possible,” explains Hein Bemelmans. And to be able to experience that growth, cooperation remains important, both men acknowledge. “We are competitors, but we also have to keep working together. Because together we are stronger. Labor shortages also exist in the longer term. As a sector, we have to get to the top of the list.”