Opportunities to radically rethink food production systems are to be discussed at the one-day conference Controlled Environment Agriculture – The Industry Is Growing Up’ event.
The technology exhibition will showcase emerging technologies and facilities to support this rapidly growing industry that is predicted will be valued at almost £10Bn by 2026.
The event is to be held at the John Innes Centre, Norwich date to be confirmed – more information here.
Highlights of the exhibition include:
Aponic – vertical farm at a London Brewery
Camden Town Brewery has teamed up with GrowUp Farms to grow its own strawberries on-site with an innovative Aponic vertical farm.
Aponic has designed, developed and now manufacture a vertical soilless growing system that uses 90% less water than traditional growing methods.
LettUs Grow – Ostara breaking down the barriers of entry
LettUs Grow management software Ostara is breaking down barriers to entry for indoor farming and aeroponics. It is a farm management toolbox, providing automated control, data collection and organisational tools for growers.
It offers agile, closed-loop control for indoor and vertical farms remotely and be used to optimise plant growth. The two main functions are:
Ostara control
• Automated growing
• Optimise conditions for crops
Management features
• Data collection
• Crop growth analysis
• Trace crop history
Plater Bio manufactures novel biostimulants and micronutrients for the agriculture and horticulture industries. It manufactures natural extracts using a unique manufacturing system without the use of synthetic chemicals, heat or pressure.
Cambridge Consultants – machine learning and robotics for controlled environments
Cambridge Consultants’ technically focused, commercially driven teams uncover novel solutions to long-standing challenges. With advanced capabilities in AI, robotics, sensor development, fluid mechanics and wireless communications, Cambridge Consultants helps companies to improve their precision agriculture product lines by moving to row-by-row and individual plant treatment technologies.
Cranfield University to showcase the Rurban Revolution
Can ruralising urban areas create a healthy, sustainable & resilient food system?
This is the question being explored by within the Rurban Revolution project. which brings together expertise in ecosystems, psychology, plant sciences and supply chains from Lancaster University, Cranfield University and University of Liverpool.
It is building an interdisciplinary evidence base to see how urban green spaces can influence:
- Healthy and sustainable diets by improving availability and access to fruit and vegetables
- Food production in terms of quantity, quality and safety
- Ecosystem service delivery, both within cities
This project is funded through the Global Food Security’s ‘Resilience of the UK Food System Programme’, with support from BBSRC, ESRC, NERC and The Scottish Government.
Supporting the CEA industry
Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing
BDS Publishing is a “climate-smart” publisher in agricultural science that is helping researchers in agricultural science. With over 70 published titles its books cover major crops and livestock types from production and breeding through to harvest and the final product.
Savills has recently launched Crop17 – a new initiative to support the develop medical cannabis facilities – in partnership with Hanway Associates, a leading cannabis strategic consultancy, and CambridgeHOK, an innovative glass-house builder.
Savills provides a range of specialist management and consultancy services to food and farming businesses, delivering practical support and guidance in a constantly changing industry.
Food Enterprise Park
The Food Enterprise Park is developing a 100 acre site close to the Norwich Research Park to encourage and support food and drink processing and production.
JP Trett
JP Trett is a specialist recruitment and consultancy business in the agricultural and agri tech sectors. Its focus is on developing professional careers for ambitious individuals with a passion for current and future technologies, with a level of adaptability which allows it to remain ahead of the curve in engaging with clients at the forefront of this niche and expanding sector.
Redfox offers executive recruitment services to some of the best-loved and wholesome brands in the UK and also overseas. From leading international companies right through to small family-owned businesses.
Also exhibiting will be Rothamsted Enterprises, Metos UK, Pharm 2 Farm and Pro-Lite Technology.
See more about the Controlled Environment Agriculture exhibition on the event page here.