Desert Joy, the tomato with taste from Tunisia Agro Care, a 100% daughter company of Kwekerij van Antwerpen-van Veen B.V. (part of Agro Care Participaties B.V.), has grown into a prominent player amongst the best tomato growers in the field. The head office is in Maasdijk and the tomatoes are grown in two greenhouse complexes.In 1997 a new greenhouse was built in the Bathpolders in Zeeland. This location offers a mild winter climate and a maximum of sun hours per year, which gives a competitive advance for a four-season greenhouse. At present, in Zeeland tomatoes are grown on an area of 24 ha. A separate greenhouse is used for innovations, testing and demonstrations.In 2007 a second production location was started at Agriport A7 in Middenmeer. Here, Agro Care manages 40 ha of tomato crop.A major strength lays in the year round larger scaled cropping methods based on natural methods within and around high tech solutions. Another important pillar is co-operation and chain management. Sales and marketing and packaging of tomatoes is organised via strategic joined organisations.The local partner Gaprim cultivates tomatoes, melons and watermelons in a plastic greenhouse, since 1991.In 2007 Gaprim participated in a new joint venture with three French partners. This joint venture named ZINA FRESH produces aubergines and tomatoes for export to France in a multi span plastic greenhouse heated by using geothermal energy. ZINA FRESH is Global GAP certified and their products are mainly sold via the shareholder in France.The increasing demand for tomatoes in wintertime in Europe (now at approximately 80% of demand in summer time) is an important driving force for expansion. In the Netherlands winter harvest is only possible with artificial grow light, and winter harvest is less than 30% of the volume harvested during summer time.In the past two years, the management has studied on alternative winter production locations. Conclusion from this study is that Tunisia offers the best opportunities to develop a winter garden.The main business activities of the cooperation will be the production of tomatoes in a climate controlled greenhouse of 25,000 m2 based on the Agro Care holistic crop management system. Marketing, sales planning, logistics, packaging and distribution will be organised in cooperation with companies linked to Agro Care.The partners will establish a joint venture. The project partners have discussed their cooperation over one year and are very committed. Both partners have a clear strategic interest in the project. The project will bring new knowledge on growing vegetables to Tunisia and will have a good impact in a poor region of the country.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The company will be Global GAP and TESCO certified. TESCO certification is a private label from the retailer chain TESCO and is stricter than GlobalGAP. Furthermore, the cultivation concept of AC is USDA ORGANIC certified.The joint venture will offer good salaries which are at least 30% above the average salaries in the agricultural sector in Tunisia and additional benefits to the employees; free transport to and from work, a company medical service and preventive check-up and courses for personal development like an English course and computer skills. Finally the joint venture will offer child care, as many female workers stop working after getting children. In consultation with the female workers childcare and flexible working hours will be offered.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsThe salaries are at least 30% above the average salaries in the agricultural sector in Tunisia. The joint venture offers extra benefits like training in English language and computer skills and childcare.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeThe variety is new for Tunisia. But also the production method, the Agro Care Holistic crop management system, is new for Tunisia. This system is based on a right natural balance. Furthermore, the water use will be very efficient; the joint venture aims to achieve the highest tomato crop yield with the lowest water usage in Tunisia. The products will be GlobalGAP, Tesco and USDA Organic Label certified.•	Chain effectsLocal suppliers will provide seedlings, coco slabs, fertilisers and crop protection materials. Also, local transport companies and a company recycling waste will benefit from the project. Suppliers will be invited to join trainings.Small farmers will benefit from the project in the spin-off period. During the project small farmers will be invited to visit the project to get to know the new approach and to learn about the requirements for export to the EU market. The partners will visit local farmers and help them to solve problems.There is no impact on local customers as 95% of the harvest will be exported.•	Impact on the sectorThe impact on other parties in the sector is high. The partners will set up an association for tomato growers, organise business classes and develop a digital platform for knowledge exchange.•	EnvironmentThe impact is positive. The aim of the joint venture is to do business in a way that the environment is preserved for future generations. To limit the environmental impact the joint venture will carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment, the irrigation system is closed, organic waste will be recycled, highly efficient use of water, CO2 compensation by planting trees, Global GAP certified and in compliance with TESCO Nurture standard.•	Position of womenThe impact is slightly positive. The manager of the joint venture will be a woman, and on 5 out of 10 medium-/ high-level jobs a woman will be employed. On low level jobs mainly women will be employed.•	Impact on food safetyCompliance with Global GAP and TESCO standards.Use of Nature's bumblebees to pollinate tomato plants, keeping the plants healthy while giving them the rich texture, delectable flavour, and outstanding quality that distinguishes Desert Joy tomatoes.•	Impact on waterUse of closed irrigation system instead of the commonly used open systems in Tunisia. The closed system consists of drip irrigation with collection and recycling of irrigation water including a monitoring system and water treatment. The goal of the project is the installation of a climate controlled greenhouse of 2.5 ha to grow 470,000 kg of pomo dolce tomatoes for the export to the EU.