More than 80 supply chain representatives and horticulture engineers came together in Oxford recently to broker innovative agri-tech partnerships.
Delegates from the potato and horticulture sectors met at Begbroke Science Park in an event organised by the Horticulture Innovation Partnership (HIP) and the Environmental Sustainability Knowledge Transfer Network. The aim was to match engineers with supply chains to set up innovative and technology-based approaches.
The meeting was planned in advance of R&D funding which will be forthcoming from the Technology Strategy Board this autumn for collaborative businesses to develop engineering and precision farming projects along the food supply chain.
HIP’s Mary Bosley, who set up the event, said: “By the end of the day our engineering community went away with the challenges that the horticultural and potatoes industry faces; and horticultural and potato stakeholders had identified opportunities that the engineering community can offer.”
Delegates heard a series of presentations. The first was given by Dr Ed Moorhouse, group technical director of the G’s Group. He said: “We have unique engineering challenges. Our crops are exposed to the elements, have volatile supply and demand and are the most extreme examples of FMCGs. We use bespoke equipment and the crops are produced by just a small number of highly specialised producers.
“Over the last couple of decades there have been huge rises in labour costs which have not been mirrored by produce selling prices. The discrepancy between cost and return must be addressed through improved efficiency.
“Growers are very receptive to new technologies. Innovation and investment is key to remaining competitive; there are good opportunities for development partnerships.”
And Professor Simon Blackmore, head of Harper Adams University’s department of engineering, outlined new precision farming and robotic technologies, while delegates from Branston and Greenvale AP highlighted their wish lists for engineering solutions for the potato sector.
Closing the event, Bosley said: “Positive new relationships have been built here today and potential collaboration formed. This could vastly improve the competitiveness of GB agriculture.”
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