To increase production efficiency, through the better use of resources, and to maximise fruit quality are the top R&D priorities for British tomato growers.
In a new strategy document for R&D, the Tomato Growers' Association said it aims to cut energy and labour use per unit of production by 30 per cent over the next 10 years.
Strategies to achieve this include improving efficiency of energy use - currently an industry hot topic - and investigating the potential for developing robotics for glasshouse tasks.
Other objectives include making British fruit more distinctive from imported and maintaining a competitive advantage through the use of technology that allows growers to adopt more environmentally sensitive and sustainable systems.
Zero use of pesticides also remains a target.
Growers have faced severe economic pressure in recent years, primarily because of the restrictions put on price by oversupply in Europe and heightened competition between UK retailers, said the document. At the same time, R&D resources and facilities have contracted. "It has never been more important to focus on the principle needs and priorities of growers," it said.
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