where research and practice grow together

About Harvestis

Harvestis was formed following the merger of the Hoogstraten Research Centre (PCH) and the Vegetable Crops Research Station (PSKW) in Sint-Katelijne-Waver. By combining our expertise, state-of-the-art infrastructure and resources, we are creating a strong foundation for forward-looking applied research.

At Harvestis, we have both feet firmly planted in the field, both literally and figuratively. As a leading knowledge partner for the vegetable and strawberry sector, we work closely with growers and translate scientific insights and technological developments into practical applications. Thanks to this close link between research and practice, we are able to respond quickly to the challenges and opportunities within the sector.

Our services

At Harvestis, we support growers and businesses as a knowledge partner that accelerates innovation from idea to practice. We guide them through the entire process: from concept development and validation to demonstration and implementation. At Harvestis, we have extensive expertise in areas including variety research, IPM, energy, sustainable water use and automation.

Thanks to this expertise and our close involvement with the sector, we translate research and innovative ideas into practical applications for growers. This knowledge is disseminated through channels such as HORTIVEC and our targeted information programmes. In this way, we offer bespoke solutions to a wide range of cultivation challenges, with the aim of creating a sustainable and profitable horticultural sector for the future.

Updates

News

08/05/2026

Compost turner supplied for the CloseCycle project

Last week, a Gujer TG 301 compost turner was delivered to Harvestis’ site in Sint-Katelijne-Waver. With this new...

News

06/10/2026

40 m³ storage tank delivered for the FertiHub project

A significant milestone for the FertiHub project: a 40 m³ storage tank has been installed at our site...

Projects

Water

NUFLOW – Nano- and ultrafiltration for sustainable water flows in greenhouse horticulture

The cultivation of fruiting vegetables and leafy crops is increasingly under threat from pathogens such as fungi, viruses and bacteria. Nano-ultrafiltration is a promising technique for removing pathogens from irrigation water using a physical membrane, but its practical application remains a challenge.

Cultivation technology

Lighting

AubeLux

Optimisation of cultivation and lighting strategies for aubergines under LED lighting

Pests and diseases

TuTact: Making Tuta absoluta more manageable by drawing up a tactical strategy centred on collaboration

TuTact is developing a sustainable, region-specific strategy for controlling Tuta absoluta in tomatoes. Through monitoring, knowledge-sharing and collaboration between growers, the organisation is working towards effective prevention and control.

Cultivation with a future

Pests and diseases

Contramyz: Sustainable control of Myzus persicae in sweet pepper cultivation

Aphids pose a threat to pepper cultivation and cause damage. ContraMyz is developing a sustainable IPM strategy based on monitoring and integrated control through preventive, biological, physical and chemical measures.

Circular agriculture

Climate resilient

Soil and fertilization

B3W

B3W (Support Service for Better Soil and Water Quality) was established in early 2021 to support the objectives of the Flemish manure policy. It is a partnership of 13 knowledge and research centres, set up on behalf of the Flemish Land Agency.

Crop protection

Pests and diseases

ESBBA – First steps towards a systems-based approach to leaf nematodes in strawberry cultivation

Since 2024, there has been a sudden surge in leaf nematodes in strawberry cultivation. In this project, we are using a systems-based approach to tackle this new problem.