opinion and background Partners in Novifarm go for sustainable growth machines than one that is six metres wide, because it ensures more operational reliability. If one is broken down you can carry on with the other’, Arie Noordam explains this choice. The Partnership has also taken some necessary decisions about the use of space and buildings. There is one central office, situated at ‘the Visser farm’ in Numansdorp, complete with computer equipment, office furniture and a meeting room. Furthermore, the Partnership has enough storage space for machinery and produce. Novifarm can store 6,700 tons of potatoes and/or onions, of which 2,400 tons are mechanically cooled. There is also suitable space to store 500 tons of produce in boxes. In these, Novifarm can store seed and consumption potatoes that are entirely separated from each other. More efficient and pleasant work The first steps towards collaboration within Novifarm have been made; the course and direction are still to follow. The partners are enthusiastic and have great confidence in the progress made so far. ‘The advantage of this form of collaboration is that each partner has an ownership interest in the company. In this setup, we are working more efficiently and with more pleasure’, says Visser proudly. ‘It is wonderful that everyone can now do what he is good at’, adds Noordam. ‘When you are on your own, you easily tend to let things you don’t like slide. And that is always at the expense of your farm management.’ The Novifarm partners also realise that they can be an example for other farmers in the crop farming sector. This is visible in the openness and pride with which they talk about their management, which can also be seen on their website www.novifarm.nl. Here they are open about the past, the present and the future, complete with beautiful digital pictures. Without a doubt, we will hear and see quite a lot from these collaborating entrepreneurs in the future. ● Leo Hanse This year, Novifarm farms 130 hectares of consumption potatoes and 10 hectares of seed for own propagation. We currently have Ramos, Folva, Agria, Solist and Ariëlle in our cropping plan. Potato World 2010 • number 4 27 Pagina 26
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