1. Organic Butternut Squash from China
The organic butternut is planted by NOW Agriculture—a Dutch Chinese joint venture
specializing in fruits and vegetables from Dalian.
NOW Agriculture currently has 45 ha of privately controlled organic fields and 20 ha of
contracted farm land. And at the end of 2008, NOW Agriculture will launch its own factory,
processing all cultivated crop which include, strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, green beans,
broccoli, squash, shallot, bell pepper, carrot, cauliflower, ginger and garlic.

2. Planting
In 2007, the field that was planted with green beans, followed by buckwheat as a green manure to
increase the organic matter in the soil.
Before planting, 750 gram chicken powder per planting hole was added, which equaled to 7,5 ton
per hectare, which includes 120 kg nitrogen, 300 kg phosphate and 200 kg potassium. The squash
was planted on the 27th of April with a density of 10,000 plants per hectare and to ensure 100%
emergence, two seeds were planted per hole. After the squash emerged on the 15th of May,
double plants were removed.
Emerging butternut A young butternut plant
Organic pest and disease control
In the middle of June the first aphids appeared. They were controlled by Matrine, a plant extract
from the roots of Sophara flavesens, which was applied twice in growing season. However,
continuous rain at the beginning of July resulted in an increase of the disease pressure of powdery
mildew. Therefore, as a preventive action, we applied Bacillus Subtilis, a soil bacterium, to
reduce the infection.

3. Healthy butternut
Pollination and fruit setting
First flowers appeared at the beginning of July. To promote natural pollination we used
buckwheat around the fields to attract bees. Each plant consisted of 2 branches, yielding 2 – 3
fruits. To guarantee enough nutrition to plant, the vines close to the second and third fruit were
covered with soil, to stimulate root growth. At flowering, another 3.75 tons per hectare chicken
powder was added and irrigated.
Pollination by bees Buckwheat: attracting insects and as green manure

4. Explanation in the field Male and female flower
Harvesting
Harvesting started on the 10th of August. Fruit weighs between 600 – 1,200 gram. The skin of the
butternut squash is hard and the inside color is yellow to orange. After collection the fruits were
cleaned and transported to the warehouse.
Ripening squash in the fields Not fully matured yet
Traceability from the field to the client

5. Climate neutral
Although these butternut squashes are not climate neutral certified, the emission of CO2 from
shipping from Dalian to Rotterdam can be negated by the organic growing methods which ties up
the Carbon. The organic growing methods include leguminous, covering crops for adding
organic matter to the soil and compost. This system captures around 1120 kg per hectare foot
Carbon, which equals to 4110 kg CO2 per hectare foot.
The average yield of a 5 year rotation with broccoli, green beans, strawberry, shallot and squash
is 13,7 ton/ha. -> 4110 kg/ha CO2 / 13,7 ton/ha = 300 kg/ton CO2. Thus 1 ton product captures
300 kg of CO2.
The CO2 emission of a container ship Dalian – Rotterdam is: 12.97 gram/ton of cargo/km.
Distance from Dalian – Rotterdam: 20174 km
Total CO2 emission per ton: 20174 * 12.97 = 262 kg
Thus emission – capturing = 262 kg – 300 kg = -38 kg/ton product. So we can say it is climate
positive.