UPP, the harvesting technology and broccoli protein innovator has led a consortium of AgriFoodTech researchers and engineers, including the James Hutton Institute and Agri-EPI Centre, in winning a joint grant from the Department of Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The new SusProt Project will focus on utilising the 80% of unharvested broccoli biomass (stem and stalk) to create low-cost, low-impact, highly nutritious protein from this previously wasted side stream.
Boston Consulting Group (BCG) recently estimated that the food system currently accounts for 26% of global CO2 emissions and concluded that switching to alternative, plant-based proteins is one of the most impactful ways to combat the climate crisis. The United Nations has also argued that food loss and waste accounts for nearly 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions and that reducing waste close to the farm, as targeted by this project, is the most effective way of addressing food insecurity and alleviating street on land and water.
If, by 2035, 11% of all protein consumed globally were substituted for plant-based alternatives, BCG analysis concludes that more than 1 gigaton of CO2e would be saved, the equivalent to decarbonising 95% of the aviation industry. The SusProt project is therefore targeting two of the biggest challenges in agriculture – reducing wastage and decarbonising protein supply.
DEFRA figures suggest that in the UK alone, more than 600,000 tonnes of broccoli plant mass is currently wasted, this includes not only the stem, stalk and leaves, but also broccoli heads that do not meet strict supermarket specifications. This ‘waste’ side stream is just as nutritious as the broccoli in the supermarket and can be harvested for valuable proteins and ingredients as a more sustainable alternative to pea or soya protein.
The UPP led consortium includes the world-renowned James Hutton Institute, often referred to as the MIT of AgriTech, which brings expertise in crop valorisation, phyto-chemistry, food and nutrition. Precision agriculture specialists, Agri-EPI Centre will provide life cycle analysis, measuring exactly how environmentally and economically sustainable the product is at each stage of its development, informing the best adaptations to maximise e.g. water and energy-use and minimise emissions, and will provide an evidence base to the environmental benefits.
The project will end in December next year and will also evaluate the potential to extend to other unused primary crops.