Horticultural businesses have for a long time worked hard at becoming more sustainable, and Supermarkets have long demanded improvements in areas such as biodiversity and sustainable land management.
The industry has responded well with a raft of different measures introduced over many years, long before any net zero targets were first inked on any proposal for future targets.
But, if those targets are to be met, then the industry has to keep on addressing sustainability. That’s why the latest funding from Kent-based Growing Kent & Medway is welcome news.
This will help create a platform for innovation projects that will help the transition to net-zero and deliver improved productivity and sustainability in horticultural food and drink production.
“From fresh produce packaging, food and drink processing, horticultural production to the supporting technologies, your project can solve a challenge at any point in the supply chain,” the organisation said in launching the fund.
It is funds for research and land innovation like this, that have become vital after central government funding for horticultural research disappeared many years ago. Now, since the demise of AHDB Horticulture, industry will rely even more on organisations such as Growing Kent & Medway to provide the catalyst for development and growth in the future.
It does feel an uncertain time for horticulture research. Only a clear, concise research plan that covers all sectors of horticulture will deliver what growers and the rest of the supply chain needs.
But who will take leadership on this now? It is a question the industry needs answering sooner rather than later.
Her Majesty the Queen loved horticulture and especially gardens and flowers.
Upon her death stories of her wandering around her gardens in Balmoral and Windsor, walking her dogs and seemingly being unrecognised by many tourists, have been a welcome distraction from the nation’s loss.
Those perfectly manicured grounds were in many ways a metaphor for her life. May she rest in peace.
The October issue is out now & includes
- Energy prices capped for business but support falls short
- Stone wool substrates are sustainable say producers
- Commercial robots getting closer
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