From glasshouses and polytunnels to hydroponics and vertical farming, controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technologies can produce bountiful harvests across extended growing seasons, while using less land and fewer inputs such as water and fertilisers. However, they can be highly energy intensive and cost more to set up, operate and maintain compared to crops grown in open fields. This session explored how different CEA systems—from total control to low-input—are developing across the UK.
The session highlighted research from the TUKFS programme as well as projects funded by Innovate UK that are exploring the economics and energy dynamics of CEA in the UK, as well as opportunities to maximise social value, helping to address food security at both local and national levels.
Catch up on this Connect Series event.
On the first Thursday of each month our Knowledge Exchange Fellow, Dr Tracey Duncombe, holds a webinar showcasing research and innovation across the Food System landscape. To date, these events have covered a variety of topics from public diners and whole school approaches to food, to putting food centre stage at COP29 and cultured meat. If you would like to join future webinars please email food.systems@bbsrc.ukri.org or to catch up on previous events visit our YouTube playlist.
