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29-08-2006: MABA, Cairo, Egypt

For the 5th time Holland Farming was represented through Mastra - a MABA company - at last years' edition of Sahara tradeshow in Nasr City conference center. We could greet our customer from all over the country active in the growing of table grapes, citrus, fresh vegetables, cereals, strawberries and the unsurpassable Ismaïlia mango's

Link: www.maba-eg.com

23-06-2006: Reiss & Co. will introduce the one litre units in Ghana

After having worked since 1997 with Reiss & Co. in Ghana, 50 ml and 250 ml packing sizes were available in Ghana. Now one (1) litre units will be introduced on a large scale. Even though farmers need only one litre CROPMAX compared to three litres of so-called competitors, farmers tend to favour one litre packing sizes irrespective of their concentration and applications rate. After trials at the cocoa research institute of Ghana (C.R.I.G.) in Tafo, CROPMAX applied with 3,5 lt. per hectare showed 94,3 pods (81,3 healthy pods) per hectare where control showed 42,3 pods ( 35,0 healthy pods) per hectare. In the second year, contrary to Holland Farming’s recommendations, no NPK fertilizer was applied. Still CROPMAX applied plots showed 87,3 pods (77,0 healthy pods) against 79,3 pods (64,0 healthy pods) in control plot.

02-04-2006: Plagron BV, 10 years of CROPMAX

Plagron from Weert, the Netherlands, has among its wide range of products, CROPMAX as one their leading products. This current year, 2006, we celebrate Plagron as being our customer since 10 years. This however is not a record. Biosynthesis from Greece has been our partner from DAY ONE.

Link: www.plagron.nl

14-03-2006: Cameroon

Recently, the homologation process finished and marketing of CROPMAX is underway in Cameroon. After several years of trials at NRRP IRAD-Ekona at the foot of Mount Cameroon, Mr. Simon Gobina experienced good effects of the use of CROPMAX in oil palm nursery. Mr. Kofi Woede of Atlantic Side Enterprise in Limbe, who represents Holland Farming in Cameroon focuses on cocoa, coffee and bananas, where CDC plays a vital role, whereas pepper farms also form a good marketing target. In Littoral province Holland Farming will engage in cooperation with Mr. Kevis-Claude Tagne who will focus on the vegetable and fruit growers. To this effect a radio commercial is broadcasted throughout the rural areas.

01-11-2005: INDAGRA 2005, Bucharest, Romania

According to tradition, Holland Farming Romania Srl. enjoyed a lot of attention at Indagra Tradefair, where next to CROPMAX, Plantmax and Soil Plus also Scotts and Jiffy products were presented. Also Holland Farming Romania Srl. represents Europe Seeds, Pieterpik Zonen seeds, Rijk Zwaan and Boevé (shrub and tree seeds). Agricultural attaché Mr. Eng. M.Y. Brouwer organised a seminar highlighting the agricultural cooperation between Romania and the Netherlands. Marius Velea of Holland Farming Romania, who was a true pioneer in Romania – Dutch Agro cooperation, took the honour of talking about his experiences.

25-10-2005: FARMER 2005 Chisinau, Rep. Moldova

In October 2005 Holland Farming partner Agrostoc exhibited at the Farmer 2005 show in Chisinau, Rep. of Moldova. After two years of trials, the Moldovan authorities homologated CROPMAX and Farmer 2005 was chosen for the presentation of CROPMAX in the market. Agrostoc since markets CROPMAX in the wine sector, vegetables and cereals.

Link: www.agrostoc.md

03-11-2004: Leoser and Berser management in training

The management teams of the greenhouses (120 ha in total) Berser and Leoser from Bucharest were on a training course in  Holland. They use Holland Farming products since several years. Therefore they were instructed at GreenQ in Monster. They experienced the integrated pest control with Koppert systems as well as the specific RijkZwaan seed varieties. Also a visit to a professional tulip bulb grower arranged by Martrade seemed to be an interesting experience.

08-02-2004: Faked CROPMAX in Lebanon and Syria:
During a trip through the Middle East, Holland Farming encountered different products in the market, which used the name CROPMAX, but which are defenitely not Holland Farming manufacture. In one case we found a product in a white one litre packing with a cheap colour copy of the CROPMAX label, which contains a humic acid. The application of this humic acid as a spraying liquid has no benefit to plants whatsoever.

In another case we found Miracle Grow with the name of CROPMAX on it. This also has nothing to do with CROPMAX. Holland Farming has engaged with Mr. Mahmoud Saleh of Saleh for Agriculture and Trading from Beyrouth to stop these fraudilous misuse of the CROPMAX reputation. The only CROPMAX marketed in these areas is supplied in white bottles with child-friendly caps and contains the quality based on amino acids, trace elements and polisaccharides which is available since 1994. It is the only BCS Öko certified and official CROPMAX. Like other high quality brands in jewlery, arts and fashion it seems CROPMAX imitation is a burden but lucrative business to be fought against, for the consumer is the victim of this maliciousness.

16-01-2003 Current trial efforts:
In order to register CROPMAX, currently trials are being performed by Agikem from Izmir, in Turkey, by Koole Texeira from Belo Horizonte, Brasil, by Farmer in Hungary and by the Ministry of Agriculture from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Once there will be anything new about one of these trials, we will surely update it in this website.

14-01-2003 Uganda to introduce the 50 ml CROPMAX packing:
After many requests from sub-distributors, like General & Allied from Kampala and Masaka Farmers Union, the distributor for CROPMAX in Uganda, Bombo Agricultural Supplies decided to introduce 50 ml packing. We, Holland Farming and Bombo Agricultural, wish to establish a wider spread of CROPMAX enabeling the small farmers from the Lira to Kabale to enjoy the benefits of CROPMAX. Eventhough we experienced an open mind from Uganda National Farmers Union to act as sub distributor, sofar this has not been effectuated. We hope, that the different packing size will lead to a positive decision. At the same time, 250 ml and 1 ltr. packing remain available.

01-12-2002 Ethiopia registration slow but sure :
After years of negotiating, diplomatic pressure and fieldtrials, it seems the light at the end of the tunnel is in sight. In 1997 Holland Farming contacted Kadco, distributor of chemical products, to enthuse this Addis Ababa company to take on the distribution of CROPMAX in Ethiopia. First CROPMAX was not allowed into the country at all for not being registered. After the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Kadco, the 25 litre for trial purposes was allowed into the country. A new chapter in the soap for registration started when Kadco tried to have CROPMAX tested for registration. Trials at last were done at Upper Awash Estates, with a governement owned trial centre. Unfortunately here the stems of teff grew too long. So after the wind blew the stems down, harvest was too difficult: negative result. Next to this, Ethio Flora, private growers of tomatoes, beans, etc. for export to Europe, did their own trials. While tomatoes gave a yield increase of over 10%, beans gave 33% more yield while using CROPMAX. Holland Farming foresees, that registration should be completed by March 2003, after which Samatra, daughter company to Kadco, will engage in the further marketing of CROPMAX.

10-11-2002 New distributors in the Mediterranean: Portugal and Italy
Both in Italy and Portugal, Holland Farming coöperates with new partners. In Portugal, Brenntag has engaged to distribute CROPMAX throughout the country. We are very happy, that former HCI manager, Mr. Van Marle, took the responsibility to make CROPMAX a succes targeting on the viticulture.

Through the efforts of G.I.P. Italia, managing director Mr. Claudio Garducci introduced CROPMAX to several regional companies, who either use CROPMAX themselves or distribute CROPMAX. In Piemonte, Confagricoltura from Novara performed trials with excellent results on various grapes for viticulture (nebbiolo, uva rara and vespolina grapes). Also in the Novara region, CROPMAX will be used on the famous Italian risotto.  In Emilia Romagna, Terremerse and Cooperativa Agricola Braccianti Giulio Bellini in partnership performed several trials. Unfortunately, the whole of Italy suffered from disastrous weather conditions. Nevertheless, substantial results were obtained from kiwi fruit and melons.

15-10-2002 CROPMAX faked in Ghana:
In Ghana, Reiss & Co., sole distributor of CROPMAX, came across faked CROPMAX. The found batch is offered in and around Kumasi at dump prices. The contents of the bottle, looking quite similar, but not exactly the same, contains simple molasses, probably made of sugarcane. Reiss & Co. Are undertaking legal actions against the distributors of this fake, who claim to have imported this CROPMAX from Holland, but cannot submit any import licence, let alone any proof of Holland origin. The mere fact, that CROPMAX is faked, testifies to the fact, that only works of art are worthwhile to be faked (Rolex, Nike, Rembrandt).

01-10-2002 Egypt:
For the fifth year in succession, Holland Farming through their Egyptian distributor Bio-Egypt Holland was present with a stand at the Sahara Agricultural Tradefair in Nasr City, Cairo. Staff of Holland Farming was present to further promote the use of CROPMAX in Egypt, where CROPMAX has benefited farmers since registration in 1996. Again Holland Farming is astonished about the farmers travelling from as far as Aswan to buy twelve bottles of CROPMAX to take back home. Eventhough CROPMAX is much wanted, the potential is much bigger. Unfortunately recent economical situations have not been very favorable. Nor does the bureaucracy regarding registrations and allowance of organic agro-inputs seem to be favorable to the sales of CROPMAX. Holland Farming has nevertheless good faith in the potential of this huge market.

01-04-2001 Fire at Holland Farming
Two days after Holland Farming moved to new premises at Lelystad, a fire destroyed the new facilities. Short circuit at the adjacent building, a nursery for horticulture, caused the fire. Fortunately only packing material and some light inventory was damaged. The main inventory, machinery etc. was due to arrive at the day of the fire. In the mean time, Holland Farming could outplace all production and packing to a temporary warehouse. All trouble caused delays in delivery and some irregularities in supply. After three months of trouble, Holland Farming could move in to the new housing of Holland Farming B.V.

01-02-2001 Biosynthesis from Greece got its foot in Crete
Since 1994, Biofert from Athens, distributed CROPMAX throughout Greece except for Crete, the most important agricultural area in the country. Since 2002 a partnership with a company in Crete led to a merger, which operates mainly from Athens by the name of Biosynthesis. Managing director Mr. Ioannis Kukufilippos took this opportuanty to emphasize the organic character of CROPMAX in the marketing and prepared all labels with Greek text. We experience a general growth in sales and a positive feedback from the CROPMAX consumers.

01-08-2001 Egypt:
For the fourth year in succession, HOLLAND FARMING through their Egyptian distributor Bio-Egypt Holland shall be present with a stand at the Sahara Agricultural Tradefair in Nasr City, Cairo. Staff of Bio-Egypt Holland shall be present to further promote the use of CROPMAX in Egypt, where CROPMAX has benefited farmers since registration in 1996.

HOLLAND FARMING submitted their ENTOMAX for the procedure. While previous to the procedure all pesticides had to be checked on all their ingredients (acute and long term toxicity) with all costs involved, now the finished product will be evaluated. This opens the way for products of mother nature, like ENTOMAX to be used in professional farming in Holland.

www.HollandFarming.com.