Saving waste in horticulture: optimising resources – 10 Nov 2017
Agri-TechE 
Tomatoes, strawberries and other crops grown undercover are a rich source of active plant ingredients such as lycopene, anticyanins and isoflavones that are used in the cosmetic and health industries. A workshop hosted by Niab will be reviewing the options for growers in the emerging bioeconomy on Friday 10th November during Agri-Tech’s Agri-TechE Week 2017.
Niab is a partner in the EU Interreg2Seas BioBoost project. It aims to support the horticulture industry exploit the benefits of the bioeconomy by using resources that would previously have been considered waste. The partners that include leading growers from the Lea Valley will implement regional test and pilot projects, to develop novel techniques, methods and products. There will also be focus on the commercialisation of innovation, with funding and business support for SMEs looking to take their products to market.
Dr Lydia Smith, Head of Niab Innovation Farm and one of the speakers, says: “Brightly coloured fruit and vegetables offer a wealth of bioactives that are being used for anti-aging products, cancer prevention, natural colourings and nutritional enhancements. This is a valuable new market for the horticultural industry and allows offers an opportunity to use non-edible waste such as skins and stones. The workshop aims to scope out the prospects to accelerate the transition to a bioeconomy.”
Niab has a pilot facility for the production of green pesticides from mushroom growth and soft fruit waste. Alongside this, Niab will be looking at improving the quality of active plant ingredients in tomato and strawberry, such as lycopene, anticyanins and isoflavones that are used in the cosmetic and health industries. Agri-TechE Week aims to showcase different aspects of research and innovation happening across the region with REAP the flagship conference held on day 2.
Dr Belinda Clarke, Director of Agri-Tech, comments: “Agri-TechE was invited by Niab to be a subcontractor in BioBoost and we have supported the project by mapping the supply chain. This has revealed many ways that plant resources can be used more productively. The workshop will allow this information to be shared and discussed from different perspectives.
“The Niab event ties in with the theme of Agri-TechE Week’s flagship REAP conference, looking at our current knowledge and how it can be applied for a more profitable and sustainable future.”
BioBoost is a 3.5 year project, undertaken by scientists from industry and academia in the UK, Netherlands and Belgium. The project is co-ordinated by leading horticulture centre – Westland – in the Netherlands.
Saving waste in horticulture: Optimising resources will take place from 10am-4pm at the Sophi Taylor Building, Niab Park Farm, Villa Road, Histon, Cambridge. Speakers will include: Dr Gavin Milligan of the William Jackson Food Group, Dr Jean Fitzgerald of Niab EMR, Dr Lydia Smith, Head of Niab Innovation Farm and Dr An Callens of the University of Vives.
Post Overview
Agri-TechE Related Posts
Sofa Session: Back to the Future at REAP 2021
REAP 2020 report launched
Webinar: Politics, pesticides & precision breeding
The 2025 Innes Lecture – Following the Pepper: Black berries, Asian trade and European empires
Innovate UK Funding For Energy Efficient Aeroponic Farming Systems
Sitting thirty-three meters underneath the busy streets of Clapham, a disused air raid shelter from the Second World War is currently producing sustainable and fresh produce, thanks to a new initiative called Growing Underground. These forgotten tunnels provide a pest-free, climate-controlled environment that is close to point of need. This and other innovative new approaches will be discussed at the upcoming Agri-TechE Pollinator meeting “Undercover Agents – New Technologies for Controlled Environment Production” at the Sainsbury Laboratory on 22nd March 2016. 
Aponic Ltd has developed a soilless growing system that uses 90 per cent less water than traditional agriculture, does not emit harmful run-off into the environment, and reduces the dependence on fossil fuels. These advantages have attracted both national and international interest. 
Also on show will be a demonstration of a compact biofermenter by Algenuity, which can be used to grow algae as well as to better understand the best conditions to grow particular algae strains in specific locations worldwide. Andrew Spicer of Algenuity explains: “Algae are tiny microorganisms most closely related to plants and many are a rich source of EPA/DHA omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish oil. This nutrient is associated with protection against a number of major diseases including coronary heart disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes.
Work at the John Innes Centre is directed at making this crop more desirable to the farmers by improving yields, taste, performance and market value. The research institute has collected peas of all different varieties over many years and is using new knowledge about its pulse genetic resources to benefit traditional breeding. Farmers and environmentalists are keen to ensure that sprays are only used when they are needed.
