In the 20 years that Hein-Willem Leeraar has worked as an agricultural business consultant, he carried out many international assignments and made plenty of study trips. It’s an increasingly small world when it comes to that: Dutch agricultural knowledge and entrepreneurism are highly appreciated abroad.
Feel free to view a choice of international cases below.
For more detailed information or specific questions about a certain subject, don’t hesitate to contact us.
If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got
Since 2015 Hein-Willem Leeraar is the owner of Agro Reis Academy. Agro Reis Academy organises study tours and excursions for specific groups in the ag and foodbranche.
BELGIUM
I – 2006
SITUATION:
A Belgian agricultural business suffered from financial difficulties. Hein-Willem Leeraar & partners was asked to assess the company’s saleability with the purpose of preparing the business for sale.
Nature of the activities:
Client:
Private client
BELGIUM
II – 2011 en 2012
SITUATION:
Conducted Study trip
Nature of the activities
Client:
Association of agricultural business advisors
BRAZIL I
I – 2016
Situation:
Study trip for a group of agricultural entrepeneurs from the Netherlands and Germany.
Nature of the activitities:
Client:
Agro Reis Academy
Photo’s:
View photo album
CANADA
I – 2017
SITUATION:
Consultancy assignment to purchase a farm
Nature of the activities:
Client:
Private client
Link online photo album:
Album
CANADA
II – 2022
SITUATION:
Visiting dairyfarmer in New Brunswick. Making a businessplan aiming at farmgrowth in terms of number of cows.
Nature of the activities:
Principal:
Private client
CONGO
I – 2016
SITUATION:
Agriterra has asked Hein-Willem Leeraar to contribute to a project for the coffee cooperative AMKA in province South-Kivu in Congo. The goal of this trip was to carry out a so-called assessment study. The process to come to this aid is as follows: 1. Scoping, 2. Assessment report, 3. The business plan.
Hein-Willem was responsible for the Financial Health Check. Hein-Willem traveled together with Agriterra expert Niek Thijssen. Thijssen focused on the administrative part, the Governance Health Check. Agriterra often puts duos together on a project.
Nature of activities:
Client:
Agriterra
DENMARK
I – 2005
SITUATION:
Study trip for consultants in the Dutch agri-business
Nature of the activities:
Client:
Association of Agricultural Business Consultants
DENMARK
III – 2017
SITUATION:
Consultancy assignment to purchase a farm
Nature of the activities:
Client:
Private client
DENMARK
II – 2011
SITUATION:
Market research for re-start corn-under-foil
Nature of the activities:
Client:
Private client
EGYPT
I -2000
Situation:
Study trip of Frisian farmers
Nature of the activities
EGYPT
II – 1992 – 2002
Situation:
Consultancy in collaboration with embassy council, market research for investors
Nature of the activities:
Client:
Private
ENGLAND
I – 1998
SITUATION:
Fact finding mission, where the focus was on environmental measures that European farmers in various countries are facing.
Nature of the activities:
Client:
European Union
ENGLAND
II – 2010
SITUATION:
Organisation of study trip
Nature of the activities:
Client:
Private client
ETHIOPIA
I – 2014
SITUATION:
Dutch investors are considering an investment in a dairyfarm in Ethiopia. The farm has been redeveloped from 2008 onwards with own resources. It is a leading farm in the Ethiopian dairy sector where farming is practiced according to the state of the art. By means of additional funds the status of vocational training centre must be realised, including a processing unit. Hein-Willem Leeraar & partners is asked to carry out a feasibility study.
Nature of activities
Remarks:
A lot of potential within reach.
Principal:
Private investors in cooperation with PUM Netherlands Senior Experts
Pictures:
Photographer Max Kooijmans took pictures of the trip.
Attachments:
– Report
Hein-Willem Leeraar in OFTV April 12 2014 (minute 25):
http://youtu.be/bFbjk_8l9kc
Ethiopia
II – 2020
Assignment
Writing an improvement plan for Exodus Farm, Sodo. Associates want a higher milk production per cow and an expansion of the number of cows. In the year 2018, the Dairy Unit was created. In the year 2015 the Poultry Unit started. Ten animals in a wooden tie-up stall. Premises = circa 2 hectares. A slightly rolling landscape. Pleasant climate at an altitude of approximately 2.400 meters. There is an adequate amount of water available. Trainees from the adjacent ATVET College are being educated.
Activities
Comment:
The entrepreneurs are extremely motivated. There is a lot of potential.
Cliënt:
Private company
Ethiopia
III – 2022
Assignment
Writing an improvement plan for Exodus Farm, Sodo: are the entrepreneurs ready for the next level? The entrepreneurs want a higher milkproduction per cow and want to increase their number of cows. In 2018 the Dairy Unit started; 2015 the Poultry Unit started first. The Dairy Unit started of with a wooden tie-up stable and about a dozen of animals. The yard is around 2 ha. A slightly rolling terrain. Very pleasant climate at an altitude of around 2.400 meter height. Water for drinking and cleaning is abundant. Trainees from a the nearby ATVET College get practical training. In 2021 their own Vocational Training Centre has started.
Nature of the activities
Remarks:
Entrepreneurs are very motivated. A lot of potential!
Cliënt:
Private sector
FRANCE
I – 2004
SITUATION:
A Dutch farmer’s son was considering to sell his parents’ Dutch business to start exploiting a campsite in France.
Nature of the activities:
Comments:
The recommendation not to set up the campsite at the intended location in France was followed; the activity was not carried out because of the high start-up costs and the expected limited revenue.
Client:
Private client
GERMANY
I – 2003
SITUATION:
A Dutch farmer’s son was considering to take over a farm in Germany and build a new future. The Netherlands offered too little space for him. The idea was: semigration.
Nature of the activities:
Comments:
Two potential take-over candidates were analyzed and visited. In both cases it was advised to refrain from buying. In the one case because the area was too dry to render sufficient results without high investment costs, and in the second case because the price quoted was not considered in accordance with market conditions.
Client:
Private client
GERMANY
II – 2011
SITUATION:
Visit to farmer of corn-under-foil in the Eifel mountains
Nature of the activities:
Client:
Private client
GUINEE (Conakry)
I- 2017
The dairy farm near the capital Conakry has 125 cattle and about 125 acres, enclosed in one block and fenced. There are a number of stables, including 1 new fully modernized stable. A proper section of the land can be irrigated. The company sells milk and yoghurt in the capital at around 20 sales outlets. An analysis of the nature and activities of the company shows that an increase in milk production is required to meet the rising demand. The company is owned by the Minister of Agriculture, Ms. Jacqueline Sultan.
Nature of the activities:
Remarks:
Targets are realistic, there is potential
Client:
PUM
Photos:
Click here for complete album
Click on a photo below for a selection
IRELAND
I – 1998
SITUATION:
Fact finding mission, where the focus was on environmental measures that European farmers in various countries are facing.
Nature of activities:
Client:
European Union
IRELAND
III – 2009
SITUATION:
Contractor wishes to apply Irish cultivation technology to maize in the Netherlands. Set up and implemented instruction programme and fact-finding mission to this end.
Nature of the activities:
Client:
Private
IRELAND
II – 2008
SITUATION:
Organized and guided a study trip for consultants specialized in the agricultural sector.
Nature of the activities:
Client:
Association of Agricultural Business Consultants
IRELAND
IV- 2011
SITUATION:
A group of farmers from the north of the Netherlands visits collegues in Ireland as part of a study trip. All participants participate in the project ‘Maize under film’. Focused on a better profitability of maize cultivation combined with a restriction of the environmental pressure. A few members of the guidance committee also participated in the study trip.
Nature of the activities:
Client:
Private client
Programma studiereis Ierland
ISRAEL
I – 1980
SITUATION:
Internship as part of world orientation journey.
Nature of the activities:
Investigating:
Client:
Private client
ISRAEL
II- 2010
SITUATION:
Organised and supervised field trip for consultants specialized in the agricultural sector.
Nature of the activities:
Client:
Association of Agricultural Business Consultants
Film:
http://youtu.be/UJpvESwDNWs
I – 2012
SITUATION:
Irish manufacturer Samco got a visit from a corn grower from Latvia, who is interested in corn cultivation technology developed by Samco. In addition, the expansion of the Latvian market may be a possibility. Hein-Willem Leeraar has been asked to perform a fact finding mission.
Nature of the activities:
Client:
Private
Photos:
A Latvia farmer farmily gets advice
LUXEMBURG
I – 2014
SITUATION:
Visit to the European Investment Bank in Luxemburg for a meeting with the division of natural resources and agro-industry. Goal: discussing loan possibilities for investments in Europe and East-Africa.
Nature of activities:
Client:
R&D company from Ireland.
MALI
I – 2014
SITUATION:
The dairy farm located near the capital city of Bamako has around 300 animals and approximately 300 hectares of land spread out over multiple areas to the north- and southeast of the capital. Also present on the farm are goats, sheep and around 2000 broilers. The farm sells milk in the capital and is member of a cooperation consisting of 120 members. 2500 litres of milk is delivered by members on a daily base. Through an analysis of the nature and activities of the farm a rise in productivity will be realised in order to establish a production line for the production of dairy products with a longer shelve live such as yoghurt.
Nature of activities:
Remarks:
Goals are reachable, highly potential
Client:
PUM
Pictures:
See here
Attachments:
Rapport_Mali 2014
MALI
II – 2016
SITUATION:
Hein-Willem Leeraar was asked by PUM to contribute to a dairy project in Mali. The purpose of this trip was to write a business plan for some expansion financings. The plan was presented to the bank of the entrepreneur in question. PUM supports enterprising entrepreneurs.
From July to September it is the rainy season in Mali. During these months the sowing of maize, maralfalfa and panicum takes place.
Hein-Willem was responsible for writing the business plan. Hein-Willem was traveling alone.
Nature of activities:
Client:
PUM
Pictures:
See here
MOROCCO I
I – 2018
SITUATION:
Hein-Willem Leeraar was asked by PUM to conduct an advisory mission at four cooperations of dairy farmers in Morocco: cooperation Laatemna, (pronounced: Ladjemna), cooperation Chorouk, cooperation El Awhad and cooperation El Baraka de Skoura M’daz, with respectively 80, 20, 10 and 20 members.
Most farms also have sheep, chickens and other small livestock. The goal of this trip was to give advice aimed at increasing the milk production per cow. April is about the end of the rainy season. First observation (diagnosis), followed by the analysis and finally the advice. Hein-Willem was responsible for writing the report. He traveled by himself.
Nature of activities:
Comments:
Potential is present
Client:
PUM
MOROCCO II
II – 2022
SITUATION:
Visiting the dairy district around the city of Beni-Mellal, the socalled TADLA-bassin. Together with met milk extraction specialist Johan Grolleman, located in Zwolle, the Netherlands. Visited the 19 farms who participate in the 3 year project
Nature of the activities:
Remarks:
Students of the local Vocational Training Centre participated in the lectures.
Principal:
Dutch Government/Crédit Agricole Marocain
PERU
I – 1994
SITUATION:
Organizing and guiding an agricultural-oriented excursion throughout the Netherlands for the Board of Directors of the CIP (International Potato Center), La Molina, Lima
Nature of the activities:
Client:
Private client
POLAND
I – 2007
SITUATION:
Organizing and guiding a study trip for agricultural consultants in collaboration with the Dutch embassy
Nature of the activities:
Client:
Association of Agricultural Business Consultants
PORTUGAL
I – 2011
SITUATION:
Organized and guided a study trip for consultants specialized in the agricultural sector.
Nature of the activities:
Client:
Association of agricultural business advisors
Photos:
Click here for photo album
SAUDI ARABIA
I – 2014
SITUATION:
A group of extension officers is following a course in extension science in Wageningen. Hence Hein-Willem Leeraar & partners has organized an afternoon study program with different presentations about the agricultural sector in order to improve their skills.
Nature of activities:
Client:
Wageningen University Research
Attachments:
Presentation H.W. Leeraar
SCOTLAND
I – 2012
SITUATION:
Study trip for Agribusiness consultants
Activities:
Client:
Association of agricultural business advisors
UGANDA I
I – 2015
Situation:
Agriterra has asked Hein-Willem Leeraar to contribute to a project for a cooperative of coffee farmers in Uganda. This cooperative is considering investments in their operations. The assignment was to create a ‘bankable’ business plan, in cooperation with a Dutch coffee expert. This coffee expert brought cultivation expertise, and checked the technical indicators. Agriterra often puts duos together on a project.
Nature of activities:
Client:
Agriterra
UGANDA II
II – 2022
Situation:
Hein-Willem is asked to help in finding a solution in order to be able to mechanize growing maize in the surroundings of Mbarara, Southwestern Uganda. From seedbed preparation till harvest. On the shortest possible notice because seasonal activities are under way. The only local contractor has withdrawn from the scene because of financial issues..
Type of work:
Client:
SNV Uganda
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
I – 2003
SITUATION:
A Dutch farmer has a dairy farm in the Netherlands as well as in the United States (New Mexico). A Dutch business manager holds the sway. The American business is doing very well, however, strangely enough, profits are low. Hein-Willem Leeraar is asked to find out, on the spot, what could be the reason for the low profits.
Nature of the activities:
Comments:
It turned out that the business manager perpetrated fraud with business funds. He was then arrested and forced to pay all the money back.
Client:
Private client
SWEDEN
I – 1997
SITUATION:
A Swedish farmer wanted to farm in a ‘environmentally friendly way’. His business consisted of a dairy farm and a campsite. The starting point was to provide for the energy needs himself where possible, for example by generating his own energy and heat. He also wanted to limit the use of nitrogen as much as possible, limit the use of penicillin for cows and have the cows graze outside as often as possible.
Nature of the activities:
Comments:
The Swedish farmer was one of the first farmers who practiced this form of environmentally friendly entrepreneurism in this manner.
Client:
European Union
SWEDEN
II – 2009
SITUATION:
Organized and guided a study trip for consultants specialized in the agricultural sector.
Nature of the activities:
Client:
Association of Agricultural Business Consultants
THE WORLD BANK
Pre-feasibility study leads to recommendation RECS International Inc!
August 2009 – Wataru Yamamoto, projectleader of the pre-feasibility study which Hein-Willem Leeraar lead, was impressed by the contribution of Hein-Willem Leeraar to the project, that het wrote a spcial letter of recommendation. Read the letter!
I – 2009
SITUATION:
The World Bank wishes to give participants in the agrarian production chain in the Third World insight into or raise awareness of the certification system of environmentally friendly or biologically produced meat.
Nature of the activities:
Client:
The World Bank
