This paper addresses the development of Dutch government policies on the agro sector in a long-term historical perspective. Agro policies touch upon a wide range of matters, from export, competitiveness and employment to sustainability, animal welfare and food security, Unsurprisingly, they are a topic of heated debate. Aspects of Dutch agro policies have received both praise and condemnation. A long-term assessment of agro policies shows that policy priorities have shifted quite radically over time. States’ concerns about food supply and food security have existed for as long as states themselves, and remain of key relevance to this day. In addition, the agro sector has always employed a large section of the working population and played an important role in economic life. Even today, the agro sector accounts for a considerable share of GDP (10%) and an even larger share of exports. To ensure an economically healthy and competitive agro sector, policies specifically designed to improve productivity and competitiveness have been developed over the past two centuries.