Christiaan Bootsma, Knowledge coordinator for fertilization and biostimulants

“Making progress with less input: that is perhaps the greatest challenge of our time.”

How do you ensure healthy cultivation when resources are disappearing and nitrogen space is decreasing? For Christiaan Bootsma, Knowledge Coordinator Fertilization & Biostimulants, this is his daily bread. What makes his work so enjoyable and why does he think Agrifirm stands out from other organizations?

Can you tell us something about your role at Agrifirm?

My position falls within the Arable Farming Expertise Center, which is part of R&D. At the Arable Farming Expertise Center, we work with four colleagues: specialists in crop protection, seeds, and fertilization & biostimulants. I focus on fertilization and biostimulant research. Together with colleagues, the Cebeco group, and category management, we determine where the challenges and opportunities in the sector lie. Think of decreasing nitrogen space, reduced use of crop protection products, or new soil innovations.

We then investigate which solutions really contribute. We test these mainly on trial fields at Wageningen University in Vredepeel, Valthermond, and Lelystad. By looking at different soil types, we get a good picture of how they work in practice.

  • What does your work week look like?

    In winter and spring, I spend a lot of time preparing new trials, requesting quotes, and coordinating with WUR. During the growing season, it's all about being outdoors: visiting trials, walking through the crops, observing effects. That takes me all over the Netherlands. I really enjoy that variety.

What makes this role so enjoyable for you?

It is extremely energizing to contribute ideas for solutions to current challenges in the sector. How can we maintain yield and return with less input? What works, and what doesn't? We are essentially a large testing ground where we are constantly searching for answers. We can then share that knowledge with our field staff and our customers.

Agrifirm invests heavily in research. Is that unique?

I certainly think so. Competitors also conduct research, but not as thoroughly as we do. We go further: more locations, longer routes, more intensive testing. That means we really know what we're talking about. I think it's special to be part of that.

From sales advisor to R&D

I have been working at Agrifirm for over three years now. I started as a sales adivsor in North Holland. During my studies in Wageningen, I realized that I didn't always want to work in a lab, but would rather work somewhere where I could put my theoretical knowledge into practice. However, the field service role didn't quite suit me. When this role as knowledge coordinator came my way, everything fell into place. I can apply my substantive knowledge and really contribute to innovation that helps our customers.

How do you find working at Agrifirm?

I think Agrifirm is a flexible employer. You are given plenty of room to develop, both professionally and personally. There is a strong focus on education, traineeships, and training. Working from home is also well organized; there is trust and freedom. That suits me very well. It is simply a great organization with a beautiful office and good facilities. It is a place where you can really grow.

What are you proud of?

That we make a measurable contribution to making the sector more sustainable. We are working in challenging times: fewer resources, stricter rules, higher expectations. Yet we are making progress. I am proud to play a role in coordinating research that really helps farmers move forward.
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