Cultivating Tomorrow's Tomatoes: A Conversation with Paul Zantman and Robert Prins on research and innovation.

Here, we meet Paul Zantman and Robert Prins, seasoned growers whose expertise and curiosity have shaped BraZander’s journey from a bell pepper greenhouse to a dynamic research center for tomato and cucumber cultivation. Their path reveals how collaboration with a top research center and a deep understanding of plant behavior drive the advancements in greenhouse farming.

Robert, who comes from a long lineage of tomato growers, and Paul, with 15 years of experience in bell pepper cultivation, found their niche in tomatoes thanks to a chance meeting with Bayer’s De Ruiter Research Experience Center. With De Ruiter as a next-door neighbor here, close to Berkel and Rodenrijs, BraZander has transformed into a demo site where new tomato varieties are tested each year, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in crop innovation.

As our conversation with Paul and Robert unfolds, the greenhouse lights suddenly dim, immersing us in near darkness. Up until now we were immersed in the iconic purple soft glow of LED lights.

They explain how BraZander operates as a “standby” site. If there is too much power on the grid, the e-boilers at BraZander are used for this overcapacity. This also gives them the opportunity to heat their own greenhouses in a sustainable and cost-effective way. After about 30 minutes, the lights came back on.

What started as a greenhouse filled exclusively with tomatoes has expanded. Just a year and a half ago, BraZander took on the challenge of adding cucumbers, a crop that brings its own unique demands. Robert shares how working with plants, people, and technology provides a sense of fulfillment that’s deeply rooted in his family’s legacy. For Paul, whose journey began with picking tomatoes as a teenager, the draw of horticulture lies in its dynamic nature, in the early mornings, collaboration with his team, and the intricate integration between plants and technology. Paul and Robert found each other not only as colleagues but also as fellow Berkelaren.

At BraZander, a suite of Priva systems—climate control, irrigation, disinfection, and energy management—ensures each crop receives tailored care. The Priva PIM systems provide real-time insights into plant water intake and evaporation. Robert occasionally tweaks these setpoints manually, showing just how grounded intuition and technology intersect.

The complexity of growing cucumbers adds another layer to their expertise. Paul elaborates on the careful attention cucumbers require, especially in water management and climate control. Their journey with LED lighting at BraZander’s greenhouses to achieve has been equally meticulous, moving from trial phases to a hybrid system. Paul emphasizes the importance of selecting the right light spectrum, especially for sensitive crops like cucumbers, highlighting that each decision is backed by experience and a commitment to precision.

Next to lighting, BraZander’s Priva Vialux-Line disinfects all water with UV-C light, eliminating pathogens such as fungi, bacteria or viruses that could threaten sensitive crops. For Paul and Robert, this system is indispensable, as it ensures tomatoes and cucumbers stay disease-free in an environment where cleanliness is key.

Paul describes their experiments with a harvest robot, explaining that staying at the forefront of horticultural innovation means reading up on new research and keeping connections with growers globally. Robert occasionally travels to the Middle East to gain insights into crop cultivation in extreme climates, a testament to their commitment to learning and adapting together and future proofing horticulture operations.

We spoke about their perspective on the evolving landscape of energy management within horticulture, touching on topics like the integration of data centers' excess heat, geothermal energy, and the promise of green hydrogen as a clean energy source. At BraZander, they capture waste heat from the Botlek industrial area and Rijnmond waste disposal site. 

"But imagine taking this further. Horticulture could be a net producer of energy. You can actually harvest heat quite easily. So, we are kind of a heat collector. Maybe in the future we can be perceived as heat producers even," envisions Robert.

Adjacent to the Bayer De Ruiter Research Experience Center, BraZander embodies a spirit of innovation and resilience. Starting with bell peppers, they’ve grown into a center for tomato and cucumber research, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable progress and continuous improvement. Their role as a standby energy site is just another reflection of a dedication not only to growing crops but to nurturing a more sustainable future.