Proud host global Cultivators event

Innovation in Hydroponic lettuce and sustainable leafy greens production

Last week, we had the honour of welcoming international growers, breeders, and industry partners to our headquarters in Enkhuizen for the Cultivators event, organised in close collaboration with Cultivators. This year’s edition was centred around one of the most innovative areas in leafy greens: hydroponic lettuce production.

For two days, participants from around the world came together to explore the future of controlled environment agriculture. One of the event days took place at Enza Zaden, where we shared our latest developments in breeding for hydroponic systems and discussed how innovation supports both grower success and consumer satisfaction.

Advancing hydroponic lettuce through breeding and research

We were proud to host presentations from our own experts. Lettuce breeders Jean-Baptiste Malblanc and Mark Koppies offered a deep dive into our breeding approach for hydroponic lettuce, including key traits that drive performance in vertical and indoor farming systems. In addition, Tammila Klug, researcher at Post Harvest, shared insights into post-harvest quality and the role of breeding in achieving longer shelf-life and better freshness for consumers.

By combining knowledge across disciplines from breeding to post-harvest, we aim to deliver varieties that are not only productive and resilient, but also meet the evolving demands of the market.

The benefits of hydroponic lettuce production

• Growing lettuce hydroponically offers numerous advantages for modern agriculture:
• Significantly less water, fertilizer, and crop protection is needed compared to traditional farming.
• Soil-borne diseases and field conditions no longer impact the crop, leading to higher reliability and consistency.
• Cleaner produce with extended shelf-life, especially when sold with roots, appeals strongly to consumers.
• Hydroponic systems enable efficient, year-round production, making them ideal for vertical farming and urban agriculture.

These benefits make hydroponics a key solution for more sustainable leafy greens production in a growing global population.

Looking ahead and growing together

We would like to thank Cultivators for the opportunity to host this inspiring event. And of course, a big thank you to everyone who attended. Your input, energy, and perspectives made this event a great success.

At Enza Zaden, we believe that innovation happens when we connect between disciplines, organisations, and people. By working together, we can continue to shape the future of sustainable and high-tech agriculture.
Interested in our hydroponic lettuce? Feel free to contact your local sales rep or Sven Pauw directly - his details are below.

Sven Paauwe – Sales Manager
E: s.paauwe@enzazaden.nl
T: +316 8219 2588