Innovation is Key to a successful 2023

War, strikes, seasonal worker constraints, energy hikes and a growing change in our climate have put a tremendous strain on the fresh produce industry

The challenges faced mean that now, more than ever before, we need to look to innovation to not only solve the issues but to help our sector to thrive in the future

Doctor Rosemary Collier and Professor Kate Seers of the university of Warwick believe that a stark power asymmetry exists between suppliers and retailers, whose policies have led to a "defensive" innovation culture and lack of trust They note that innovation platforms are needed to bring together otherwise closed groups around common problems and the use of road-mapping should be utilised to provide a guiding vision for the future of the sector

Retail-led grower groups also provide a means to improve trust between suppliers and customers in the sector and promote new technological trajectories (not sure I agree!)

In August 2022, the government announced £16 5 million more funding for research and development in farming innovation

Artificial Intelligence technology, agri-robots to help speed up vegetable harvesting and automation to increase fruit crop yields are just some of research and development projects that have already received funding through the Farming Innovation Programme and this boost is set to continue in the year to come

Former Farming Innovation Minister Steve Double said of the scheme: "We need to help unlock greater potential in our already brilliant farming and horticulture sector This move to boost the adoption of agri-innovation demonstrates how – with the right funding and support – there are great productivity and environmental sustainability gains to be made

"Our £270 million investment in farming innovation is designed to help take the UK's world-leading research ideas and turn them into practical solutions to support healthy soils, abundant pollinators and clean water alongside profitable food production."

In a report produced for the Food Standards Agency by Cambridge University, researcher Shima Barakat found that six key technology fields were identified and their implications for industry, consumers, food safety and the regulatory framework explored

These fields are:

* Food Production and Processing (indoor/vertical/aquaponic farming, 3D food printing, food side and by-product use, novel non-thermal processing, and novel pesticides)

* Novel Sources of Protein, such as insects

* Synthetic Biology (including lab-grown meat and proteins) Genomics Applications along the value chain (for food safety applications, tracking and sustainability)

* Novel Packaging (active, smart, biodegradable, edible and reusable solutions)

* Digital Technologies in the food sector

"Education is key," explains Nigel Jenney, Chief Executive of the UK's Fresh Produce Consortium He believes the adoption of technological solutions throughout the supply chain is a major part of the solution

"Through agritech, we can target those areas of the industry that face both short-term and long-term challenges and grasp the untapped potential of our sector.

FPC FUTURE & CAREERS will take place this year on 16 March at the East of England Arena and Events Centre, Peterborough Jenney wants it to be open to everyone, with free entry available to all who register on the website

#HowToRobot is collaborating with the FPC to help farms and other fresh produce businesses explore their automation options and find suppliers and solutions They will be showcasing their services at FUTURE & CAREERS on Stand S3

"Many of businesses are dipping their toes into the robotics and automation industry for the first time and are seeking advice on where and how to begin and what solutions are available to them," added Jenney.

Indeed, FPC encourages suppliers with relevant solutions to consider demonstrating their innovations at FPC Future in March

Students at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) will be offered free legal support to progress business ideas as part of a new partnership with one of Scotland's largest independent law firms

The partnership between Morton Fraser and SRUC's Enterprise Academy – which was set up to help students develop enterprising mindsets – will also include presentations on relevant legal topics

In addition, the law firm will become one of the sponsors of the SRUC Enterprise Challenge – a competition,

High-tech drones are being deployed across Scotland as part of an innovative project to estimate the carbon stored on the country's farms

Environmental specialists at SAC Consulting, part of Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), are using drone-mounted LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors to estimate above-ground carbon storage in hedges and trees

Combined with laboratory soil analysis, the project will deliver an estimate of farm carbon stocks as part of the drive towards net zero

The sites comprising Scotland's first Farm Carbon Storage Network represent five of the country's main farming systems: upland beef and sheep, sheep, dairy, arable and crofting, which together account for nearly 90 per cent of agricultural land use.

It is hoped data from the project, which has received money from the Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund (KTIF), could support future projects where carbon sequestration