New modular systems could allow protected crops to be grown on a smaller scale by farmers producing broadacre arable crops or rearing livestock as a farm diversification. The concept will be discussed at an Agri-TechE webinar titled Future Farms on April 24th.
Mark Horler (pictured right), Chairman of UK Urban Agri-Tech (UKUAT), believes that controlled environment
© Agri-TechE growing technologies could be a viable proposition for arable and livestock farmers, providing they have the infrastructure. They would also link ideally with the quintessential farm diversification – a farm shop.
"UKUAT has identified a great deal of interest in controlled environment growing technologies as a form of diversification for farmers and landowners," says Mark. "However, significant challenges and barriers remain. That might be in practical terms, for example, the capital cost, integration with renewable energy, or simply knowing where to get started and how to make appropriate choices."
Firms like Grow Dynamics offer modular growing solutions that are more suited to the scale and cost farmers seek, but advice is still needed to navigate a complex landscape.
"Protected and controlled environment horticulture encompasses a wide range of technologies and approaches - from low tech/ low cost/ low control, for example, polytunnels, right the way through to Totally Controlled Environment Agriculture (TCEA) such as vertical farming. UKUAT tries to help bust some of the myths that have arisen around this topic and help farmers find the right advice."
Mark will be joined by Joanne Neary, Senior Technical Lead at the Centre for Process Innovation and Larry Kotch, CEO of Flybox, to discuss future farm diversification in a webinar on April 24th, hosted by Agri-TechE.
"This webinar represents a fantastic opportunity to talk through some of these issues to support adoption," says Mark. "What makes it particularly exciting is the combination of speakers on insect production and on-farm biological production.
"Many of the questions farmers and landowners will have will be much the same for all of these, so it's fantastic to maximize the impact this way. Moreover, there is much these sectors can learn from one another and collaborate upon. So it's a win-win situation!"
To register to attend or find out more, visit the Agri-TechE website.
For more information:
Agri-TechE
info@agri-tech-e.co.uk
agri-tech-e.co.uk/