{"id":4026,"date":"2023-11-14T16:01:22","date_gmt":"2023-11-14T16:01:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.canterbury.ac.uk\/cccuconnect\/?p=4026"},"modified":"2023-11-14T16:04:42","modified_gmt":"2023-11-14T16:04:42","slug":"seize-technology-today-for-the-harvests-of-tomorrow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.canterbury.ac.uk\/cccuconnect\/seize-technology-today-for-the-harvests-of-tomorrow\/","title":{"rendered":"Seize technology today for the harvests of tomorrow"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Academia, partnerships, and a sustainable future…<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tech-Infused Revolution Reshaping Agriculture\u2019s Landscape<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Horticultural Agricultural sector (Agri\/Hort) is undergoing a transformative shift known as precision farming, characterised by leveraging technology to optimise processes such as seed drilling, fertilisation, and harvesting. This not only enhances operational efficiency but also aligns with carbon net-zero goals set by organisations such as the NFU<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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As industries evolve, so does farming, transitioning from manual practices to GPS-guided, technology-driven methods. Embracing innovations like robotic fruit pickers reflects a commitment to sustainable practices. Such advancements provide valuable insights into yield, fruit quality, and allow for remote operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moving beyond traditional practices, the farming community, often cautious about change, are now being faced with the need for innovation. With margins under pressure from rising costs, stagnant purchase prices, and inflation, now is the perfect time to enact change to work towards a sustainable (and more cost-efficient) future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One such example of this is Dogtooth Technology<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> who have worked closely with Hugh Lowe Farms<\/strong> to develop a robotic fruit picker aiming to provide additional insight into yield\/predicted yield, quality of picked fruit (including defect identification, mass, and ripeness) while also allowing remote operation and on-the-spot adjustment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2021, 71%<\/strong> of the UK landmass was dedicated to horticulture, with an average farm size of 81<\/strong> hectares. The industry encompasses livestock, cereal crops, potatoes, oilseeds, dairy herds, and various fruits. Emerging trends like vertical farming leverage technology to cultivate crops on smaller or less-desirable land, utilising more of the space available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Data City<\/a> estimates the UK Ag-Tech sector’s turnover at \u00a311.8 billion<\/strong>, with \u00a31.2 billion in total investmen<\/strong>t funding and over 36,000 employees, <\/strong>emphasising the industry’s scale and its efforts to meet the NFU’s 2040 Net Zero deadline.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

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What next?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Linking the agricultural and horticultural sectors with knowledge centers such as universities is pivotal for fostering transformative change. Universities promote innovation, and expertise, offering a wealth of knowledge that can address contemporary challenges. By establishing strong connections, industry leaders gain access to cutting-edge research findings, advanced technologies, and sustainable practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agri-Engineering Hub<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Canterbury Christ Church University has recently joined the Growing Kent and Medway partnership<\/a> launching their Agri-Engineering Hub<\/a> to support innovation, adaptation, and adoption of all things Agri-Tech.<\/p>\n\n\n

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LtoR: Professor Rama Thirunamachandran, Vice-Chancellor, Dr Anne Nortcliffe, Head of the School of Engineering, Technology and Design, Abbie Kemp, Director of Enterprise and Engagement, Dr Nikki Harrison, Programme Director for Growing Kent & Medway, Professor Mohamed Abdel-Maguid, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Social Sciences and Pro Vice-Chancellor (STEM, Global Engagement and Internationalization) , Professor Mario Caccamo, CEO of NIAB, lead partner for Growing Kent & Medway.<\/em><\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

With expertise in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n