PROEFSTATION VOOR DE GROENTETEELT

Their core work

Proefstation voor de Groenteteelt (PCG) is a Belgian research station specializing in vegetable cultivation, based in the heart of Flanders' horticultural region. They conduct applied research on crop production techniques — from robotic harvesting and precision fertigation to soil biodiversity management and water reuse in agriculture. Their work bridges the gap between lab-scale agricultural research and practical adoption by growers, with a strong emphasis on knowledge transfer networks and sustainable resource management in horticulture.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2015-2018), PCG focused on production-oriented technology: robotic harvesting for high-value greenhouse crops and precision fertigation techniques. From 2019 onward, their focus shifted decisively toward environmental sustainability — soil biodiversity, water reuse, circular economy models, and living labs for water governance. This evolution mirrors the broader EU agricultural policy shift from productivity to sustainability, and PCG has positioned itself squarely at that intersection.

PCG is moving toward circular agriculture and resource recovery, making them a strong fit for future projects on water-smart farming, regenerative soil practices, and climate-resilient food systems.

How they like to work

PCG operates primarily as an active partner (5 of 6 projects), contributing applied horticultural expertise to larger consortia rather than leading them. Their one coordination role (FERTINNOWA) was a knowledge transfer network — suggesting they are comfortable organizing multi-partner knowledge exchange but prefer to let larger institutes lead research-heavy projects. With 130 unique partners across 23 countries, they are well-connected and clearly comfortable working in diverse, international teams.

Extensive European network spanning 130 unique partners across 23 countries, built through a mix of large CSA networks and mid-sized innovation actions. Their Belgian base and horticultural focus likely gives them strong connections in the Benelux and Mediterranean growing regions.

What sets them apart

PCG's distinct advantage is their identity as a hands-on vegetable research station — not a university lab, but a facility embedded in one of Europe's most intensive horticultural regions (Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium). This means they can test innovations under real growing conditions and translate results directly to commercial growers. Their combination of greenhouse crop expertise with water management and soil science makes them an unusually practical partner for anyone working on sustainable intensification of horticulture.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SWEEPER
  Largest single grant (EUR 558K) — a robotics project for autonomous sweet pepper harvesting, showing PCG's willingness to engage with advanced automation technology.
• FERTINNOWA
  PCG's only coordinator role — a 17-country network transferring innovative fertigation and water management techniques, demonstrating their authority in this domain.
• B-WaterSmart
  Most recent and longest-running project (2020-2024, EUR 233K), connecting PCG to the growing European water reuse and circular economy agenda.