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Dutch State Secretary BZK Visits DCALFA Food Forest: A Model for Sustainable Growth in the Dutch Caribbean

During his recent visit to Santa Rosa, Dutch State Secretary at BZK (Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations) Mr. Eddie van Marum made a meaningful stop at one of the island’s most forward-thinking agricultural projects: the DCALFA Food Forest. Accompanied by a delegation and warmly welcomed by the Director of Santa Rosa, Mrs. Nathalie Maduro, who also serves as President of the Dutch Caribbean Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries Alliance (DCALFA), the State Secretary was introduced to an innovative model of sustainable food production.

The Food Forest is part of a broader initiative by DCALFA to explore regenerative agriculture in the Dutch Caribbean. On-site, Mrs. Maduro provided a concise but insightful explanation of the concept. She described how the food forest mimics natural ecosystems, combining trees, shrubs, and edible plants to create a self-sustaining system that not only provides food but also contributes to biodiversity, soil health, and climate resilience.

Mr. van Marum expressed keen interest in the project’s potential to transform agriculture in the region. The Food Forest, though still a growing project, represents a vital step forward in integrating sustainability into Aruba’s agricultural sector.

The visit underscored the importance of innovation in achieving food security on small islands with limited arable land and challenging environmental conditions. It also highlighted Aruba’s commitment, through DCALFA and Santa Rosa, to aligning local farming practices with global sustainability goals.

As the tour concluded, the State Secretary commended the efforts of those involved, noting that projects like the Food Forest are key examples of how collaboration and creativity can lead to long-term agricultural solutions.