God created the Sea, but the Dutch created The Kingdom of The Netherlands

The Netherlands: Creating Land from the Sea (Creatio ex nihilo)

The Historical Battle Against Water

The Netherlands has a long and fascinating history of creating land from the sea, with efforts dating back over 2000 years. Beginning around 400 BCE, the Frisians were the first to settle in the Netherlands and developed the earliest forms of water management by building terpen (earth mounds) upon which they constructed houses or even entire villages to protect themselves from flooding. These early settlers also built small dikes, typically around 27 inches high, using natural materials found in their local areas to further protect their settlements. This struggle against water became a defining characteristic of Dutch history and culture, with the people constantly working to hold back and reclaim land from the North Sea through the centuries.

Throughout this history, the Dutch faced many setbacks, including devastating floods. On December 14, 1287, the existing terpen and dikes failed, resulting in the St. Lucia's Flood that killed over 50,000 people and created a new bay called Zuiderzee. Another catastrophic event occurred on February 1, 1953, when a combination of a storm over the North Sea and spring tide caused waves that rose 15 feet above mean sea level, overwhelming existing dikes and flooding unsuspecting towns while people slept. This disaster claimed more than 1,800 lives, forced the evacuation of 72,000 people, killed thousands of livestock, and caused tremendous property damage.

From Early Beginnings to Sophisticated Systems

The earliest land reclamation efforts can be traced back to the medieval period when local communities began constructing basic dikes to protect low-lying lands from floods, using gravity for drainage where possible. These early techniques, while effective for small-scale efforts, were limited in scope as they relied largely on natural water flow and simple barriers. The sixteenth century marked a turning point with the introduction of windmill technology, which allowed active removal of water from marshes and shallow lakes, creating new areas of dry, arable land known as polders. With windmills now powering pumps, it became possible to actively remove water and control levels more effectively than gravity alone could achieve.

By the seventeenth century, land reclamation reached new heights with highly organized and technologically advanced projects. The completion of the Beemster Polder in 1612 exemplifies the achievements of this era. Engineers used a sophisticated system of 43 windmills to drain a 70-square-kilometer lake, transforming it into productive farmland. This large-scale project was possible thanks to a combination of improved engineering, economic prosperity, and a rising population's demand for land. The progression from rudimentary dikes to vast polder systems laid the groundwork for the modern Dutch approach to water management.

The Evolution of Polders and Dikes

The Netherlands has a remarkable 3,000 polders nationwide, and about half the total surface area of polders in northwest Europe is in the Netherlands. Historically, the Dutch have been reclaiming marshes and fenland, resulting in this extensive network of polders. The first embankments in Europe were constructed in Roman times, and the first polders were established in the 11th century. The traditional polders in the Netherlands have been formed from the 12th century onwards, when people started creating arable land by draining delta swamps.

These land reclamation efforts have been so extensive that by 1961, about half of the country's land, 18,000 square kilometers, was reclaimed from the sea. Today, around 27% of the Netherlands is actually below sea level, and this area is home to over 60% of the country's population of approximately 17 million people. The Netherlands, which is roughly the size of the U.S. states Connecticut and Massachusetts combined, has an average elevation of 36 feet. This makes a huge part of the Netherlands highly susceptible to flooding, requiring constant vigilance and innovation in water management.

"God Created the World, but the Dutch Created the Netherlands"

The expression "God created the world, but the Dutch created the Netherlands" captures the remarkable achievement of the Dutch people in transforming their landscape. This saying illustrates how the Dutch have become noted for developing techniques to drain wetlands and make them usable for agriculture and other development. It acknowledges the extensive human modification of the natural environment and the creation of new land where once there was only water.

The saying reflects national pride in the Dutch accomplishment of literally creating their own country through centuries of innovative water management. From the late eighteenth century onwards, many Dutch took pride in the fact that they had created their own country, expressed by this saying which was first recorded in 1818 but derived from an older verse in Latin. This pride was commonly expressed by the word "ontwoekerd," meaning "wrung from," referring to turning water or swamp into productive land. The concept became deeply embedded in Dutch culture and identity, reflecting their collective achievement in transforming their environment.

Water Management Innovations

The Dutch battle against water has led to remarkable innovations in water management techniques that are now renowned worldwide. Windmills gave the Dutch the ability to drain, pump, and control water, creating polders and enabling them to effectively manage water levels. The use of this technology for water management represents one of the earliest forms of mechanical engineering applied to environmental control.

More recently, after the devastating flood of 1953, the Delta Act was passed in 1958, changing the structure and administration of the dikes in the Netherlands. This new administrative system created the North Sea Protection Works, which included building a dam and barriers across the sea. This vast engineering feat is now considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World according to the American Society of Civil Engineers. Further protective structures, including dams, sluices, locks, levees, and storm surge barriers, were built to reclaim and protect the land, leading to the creation of the new province of Flevoland from what had been sea and water for centuries.

The Netherlands has now adopted a new approach to water management that uses a paradigm whereby controlled flooding is embedded in its strategies and is part of the solution. This represents a shift from always fighting to keep water out to working with natural processes in some cases. This innovative approach helps make the country more resilient to climate change and rising sea levels while being more sustainable in the long term.

The Impact on Agriculture and Innovation

Land reclamation has had a profound impact on Dutch agriculture. The historically reclaimed land allowed the Dutch to increase their agricultural production, leading to economic growth and improved food security. The innovative techniques used in land reclamation, such as windmills for pumping water out of polders, showcased early advancements in hydraulic engineering that would later be applied to agricultural practices. By 1800, about 40% of the Netherlands was below sea level, highlighting the critical importance of these land reclamation efforts for maintaining habitable and farmable land.

Despite being a small country with a challenging natural environment, the Netherlands has turned these constraints into opportunities through innovative land reclamation and water management techniques. These efforts have enabled the expansion of agricultural land and facilitated agricultural growth. The country's constant pursuit of innovative solutions has not only expanded agricultural land but also ensured that the quality of soil remains fertile and productive.

The Dutch farmers utilize cutting-edge tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), drones, and sensors to monitor soil health, optimize irrigation, and manage crop diseases. This integration of technology allows for precise and efficient resource allocation, minimizing waste and maximizing yields. The Netherlands is also a leader in greenhouse cultivation practices, which allow for year-round production of high-quality vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants. Dutch greenhouses utilize advanced climate control systems, energy-efficient lighting, and hydroponic techniques to create ideal growing conditions.

A Leader in Sustainable Agriculture

The Dutch approach to agriculture strongly emphasizes sustainability and innovation. The agricultural success of the Netherlands is not solely measured by its high yields and economic gains; it also places eco-friendly practices such as integrated pest management, organic farming, and agroforestry to mitigate the adverse effects of agriculture on the environment. Since 2000, many Dutch farmers have reduced dependence on water for key crops by as much as 90%. They've also almost completely eliminated the use of chemical pesticides on plants in greenhouses, and since 2009, Dutch poultry and livestock producers have cut their use of antibiotics by as much as 60%.

The Netherlands has adopted a national commitment to sustainable agriculture under the rallying cry "Twice as much food using half as many resources". This ambitious goal reflects the Dutch dedication to finding more efficient and environmentally friendly ways to produce food, which has been a driver of innovation in the sector. The success of these sustainable practices is evident in the productivity of Dutch farms, where for example, the global average yield of potatoes per acre is about nine tons, but Dutch fields reliably produce more than 20 tons per acre.

Dutch sustainability efforts also extend to energy use and waste reduction. Since the turn of the century, many farmers have reduced dependence on water for key crops by as much as 90%. They have also almost completely eliminated the use of chemical pesticides in greenhouses, showcasing their dedication to sustainable growing methods. These sustainability-focused innovations have been crucial in establishing the Netherlands as an agricultural powerhouse despite its limited land area.

The Netherlands as a Global Food Distributor

Despite its small size and challenging geographic conditions, the Netherlands has emerged as the world's second-largest exporter of agricultural products by value, trailing only the United States. This remarkable achievement is the result of focused innovation, efficient practices, and high-tech farming methods. In 2023, Dutch agricultural exports rose 17% to over €120 billion worth of goods—a record year for the industry. This continued growth showcases the strength and resilience of the Dutch agricultural sector.

Several factors have contributed to this success. One key factor is the collaborative approach adopted by various stakeholders, including farmers, researchers, government agencies, and industry associations. This collaborative ecosystem fosters innovation, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement, ensuring the sector remains competitive on the global stage. Investment in education and vocational training has also been instrumental in cultivating a skilled workforce capable of leveraging advanced technologies and best practices in agriculture.

The Netherlands exports a diverse range of agricultural products. Ornamental plants and flowers are the hottest export items, raking in about €12 billion in 2021. Dairy products, eggs, meat, and vegetables profit over €25 billion combined. In 2021, Germany was the largest international consumer of Dutch bio-products (€26.3 billion), followed by Belgium (€12.1 billion), France (€8.6 billion), and the UK (€8.6 billion). This wide distribution of export markets helps ensure stability and growth for the Dutch agricultural sector.

The Role of Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is widely regarded as the world's top agricultural research institution and plays a crucial role in the Netherlands' agricultural success. WUR is the nodal point of Food Valley, an expansive cluster of agricultural technology start-ups and experimental farms. The name is a deliberate allusion to California's Silicon Valley, with Wageningen emulating the role of Stanford University in its celebrated merger of academia and entrepreneurship.

WUR's approach combines scientific research with practical applications. As Ernst van den Ende, managing director of WUR's Plant Sciences Group, explains, he is not simply a college dean, as half of him runs Plant Sciences while the other half oversees nine separate business units involved in commercial contract research. This blend of science-driven and market-driven approaches is essential to meeting the agricultural challenges that lie ahead.

The university is recognized globally for its excellence in agricultural education and research. It is the world's number one university in agricultural and food sciences, contributing significantly to innovations in sustainable farming, food security, and environmental conservation. WUR's research focuses on developing new routes toward a sustainable food supply through programs like Food Security and Valuing Water. The university's work is guided by the recognition that by 2050, 10 billion people will need access to healthy and nutritious food, which will require more sustainable production processes to minimize climate change and environmental damage.

For years, WUR has held the title of "Most Sustainable University in the World" (The GreenMetric ranking, 2016-2024), reflecting its commitment to sustainability in both research and operations. The university's campus is ecological and green, with sustainable buildings and facilities. This physical environment aligns with its research and education, which is subdivided into six sustainable themes: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Circular & Biobased Economy, Feeding The World, Nutrition & Health, and Artificial Intelligence.

Comparing the Netherlands and the USA in Food Distribution

The Netherlands' status as the world's second-largest food exporter after the United States is particularly impressive given the vast difference in land area between the two countries. The Netherlands has a total area of 41,850 km² (16,160 sq mi), of which the land area is 33,500 km² (12,900 sq mi). In stark contrast, the United States is approximately 270 times larger in land mass. This disparity highlights the extraordinary efficiency of Dutch agriculture and food production systems.

Seen from the air, the Netherlands resembles no other major food producer—a fragmented patchwork of intensely cultivated fields, most of them tiny by agribusiness standards, punctuated by bustling cities and suburbs. More than half the nation's land area is used for agriculture and horticulture. This intensive use of available land is a stark contrast to the United States, where agriculture is spread across vast expanses of land.

The Netherlands is the world's top exporter of potatoes and onions and the second largest exporter of vegetables overall in terms of value. More than a third of all global trade in vegetable seeds originates in the Netherlands. These impressive statistics are achieved through highly efficient production methods, advanced technology, and innovative farming practices. What makes this even more remarkable is that the Netherlands is a small, densely populated country, with more than 1,300 inhabitants per square mile, and is bereft of almost every resource long thought to be necessary for large-scale agriculture.

The United States remains the world's largest exporter of agricultural products, but the Netherlands' approach to food production is distinctly different. While the USA benefits from vast tracts of land suitable for large-scale farming, the Netherlands focuses on high-value, intensive production in a much smaller area. The Dutch are excellent traders, and much of their agricultural imports are re-exported directly or after adding value through mixing, repacking, or processing. This value-added approach helps maximize the economic return from relatively limited land resources.

The Future of Dutch Agriculture and Water Management

The Dutch approach to agriculture and water management continues to evolve to address new challenges. For 105 years, WUR has worked on solving problems and shaping a sustainable future. This is not just a firmly established theme in research and education but is also a common thread in how the Netherlands approaches these issues at a national level. The Dutch take an interdisciplinary, science-based approach to solve major global challenges defined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

Looking ahead, Dutch agriculture is poised to embrace emerging trends such as precision agriculture, digitalization, and vertical farming, which promise to further enhance efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. By continuing to invest in research, education, and infrastructure, the Netherlands plans to sustain its position as a global leader in agriculture and the export of agricultural goods. The success of Dutch agriculture is a testament to decades of innovation, adaptation, and collaboration.

The Dutch model of water management and sustainable agriculture offers valuable lessons for other countries facing similar challenges. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including floods and droughts, the innovative approaches developed in the Netherlands could help communities around the world become more resilient. By combining traditional knowledge with cutting-edge technology and a strong commitment to sustainability, the Dutch have shown that it is possible to thrive even in the most challenging environmental conditions.

In conclusion, the history of the Netherlands creating land from the sea is a remarkable story of human ingenuity and determination. The expression "God created the sea, but the Dutch created the Netherlands" captures the essence of this achievement and reflects the national pride in overcoming seemingly insurmountable natural challenges. Through centuries of innovation in water management, agriculture, and sustainability, the Netherlands has transformed itself from a waterlogged landscape to the world's second-largest food distributor. With Wageningen University & Research leading the way in agricultural education and research, the Dutch model continues to influence global practices and offer solutions to some of the world's most pressing food security and environmental challenges.