The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV) began a five-day training course on establishing and maintaining vegetable gardens on Monday, 5 October. Participants are affiliated foundations and organisations of the Platform Integrale Samenwerking van Organisaties voor mensen met een Speciale Hulpvraag (ISOS).
The training, ‘Setting Up Vegetable Gardens and Planting’, runs until Friday, 9 October 2026. LVV’s Agricultural Education and Extension Department is organising the training together with Platform ISOS. Participants are learning how to set up a vegetable garden, plant vegetables and maintain the crops.
The initiative is intended to increase the self-reliance and self-sufficiency of the organisations and their target groups. The participating organisations are committed, among others, to people with disabilities, victims of domestic violence, people with chronic conditions and senior citizens.
Acting Director of Agriculture Nicholaas Pinas stressed the importance of being conscious about food at the opening. “It is important that you know what you eat,” he told the participants.
According to Pinas, the training also addresses the responsible use of crop protection products and possibilities for growing as pesticide-free as possible. “LVV supports this project and would like to help you with this,” he said.
Through the collaboration, the ministry aims to make agricultural knowledge more accessible and contribute to healthy nutrition and practical skills among the participating organisations.
