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Holland's Agriculture
Holland has always been a farming country. Because Holland is so thickly populated, the Dutch cannot afford to waste any land. The farmers fertilize their land heavily and use modern machinery. Farming employs only about five percent of Dutch workers, but it is extremely important. Farms cover about three-fifths of the land. Most Dutch farms are small, but farm yields are among the world's highest. More than half are less than 10 hectares in size. The land on most farms is divided into even smaller plots by a system of drainage canals. In spite of this, Dutch farmers make efficient use of their land.
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Dairy Farming This is by far the most important type of farming in Holland. The combination of flat land and a mild moist climate is ideal for dairy cattle. Almost everywhere herds of black and white Friesian cows may be seen grazing in the fields. Friesians originated in Holland but have now been introduced into many other countries. They are well known for yielding large quantities of milk. |
Farmers in Holland achieve the highest
yields of
milk per cow in the world.
Cheese and Yogurt In the west and north-west of Holland the milk is either sent fresh to the major cities or made into cheese. The round cheeses of Edam and Gouda are internationally famous. In the south and east more milk is processed to make powdered and condensed milk, much of which is exported. Milk is also made into yogurt. |
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Bulbs and flowers Holland has long been famous for its high quality flowers, which are exported around the world. Bulbs (especially tulip bulbs), cut flowers, pot plants and nursery stock are grown in almost every part of the country. Each spring thousands of visitors come to Holland to see the bulb fields. |
| Bulbs have been grown in
Holland since the sixteenth century when the tulip was first imported from Turkey.
Bulbs are planted in rows during October and November each year. In winter, the fields are covered with hay and straw, to protect the bulbs from frost, and to prevent the light soil from blowing away. In spring the fields are covered with a carpet of colourful blooms.
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In summer, the farmers dig up the bulbs. The mature bulbs are separated from the new young bulbs which have grown around their base. They are all then dried in greenhouses. When the mature bulbs are dry, they are packed into boxes. These are the bulbs you can buy in the shops every autumn. The young bulbs are replanted in the soil in October and November. |
