Supporting export and extending shelf-life – the time it takes for produce to reach the consumer – are two of the processes that can be improved with technology from other sectors, and that have the potential to make a significant impact on the productivity and profitability of agriculture.
Agri-TechE is supporting the development of an innovation ecosystem for agriculture and events like ‘Ag101 – An Introduction to the Industry’ is one of the ways it does this. By inviting experts with different perspectives to frame the challenges for their part of the agri-food value chain, newcomers from different disciplines can understand how they can offer a solution.
One of those experts is Charles Hesketh, the National Farmers Union (NFU) Regional Policy Manager for the East of England. He will be speaking at Ag101 and sees a clear role for digital technologies to improve logistics within the industry.
Demand for digital technologies
There are many reasons for the empty supermarket shelves of recent weeks, but Charles agrees that digital passports for fresh produce and technologies authenticating the origin of produce are ways to support frictionless trade.
He says: “Digital technologies are one of the many opportunities our industry must – and indeed is –embrace. The FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) sector has made significant progress to both reduce wastage and manage supply levels.
“Moving forward, we see it as essential to support our domestic producers and overseas partners in integrating other digital opportunities, such as blockchain, into their businesses. Digital passports and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) are part of the matrix to improve the traceability and accuracy of the import and export of goods.
“However, it is also crucial that issues with fairness in the supply chain are resolved to help support our contracting domestic production to help keep the shelves stocked.”
Supporting exports
The NFU is part of the newly formed Food and Drink Export Council (FDEC) which is focussed on boosting UK food and drink exports.
Charles comments that the quality of British food is globally renowned, and the NFU has an ambition to increase British food exports by 30% by 2030.
“The FDEC is a crucial step towards promoting farmers' interests overseas. The council can provide strategic oversight and co-ordination to help identify additional measures that will help deliver increased exports and to determine how best to report and resolve barriers to trade.”
The NFU has produced a 10-point plan which recommends that more investment is needed into domestic innovation directed at improving export capacity. Charles comments that studies - such as those directed at extending shelf-life, reducing transport costs, and developing “demonstration of life” protocols to meet religious slaughter requirements of overseas buyers - are required to support the export objectives.
Improve connectivity
Improved rural connectivity is another vital area of technology as many of the precision agriculture technologies being introduced in the field require high-speed communications.
Charles continues: “Our latest digital and broadband membership survey results show that rural areas still lag significantly behind national averages on broadband and mobile connectivity, with only 36% on superfast broadband compared to the Ofcom national figures of 97%.
“We are also lobbying for increased roll-out of mobile connections, not just from a productivity point of view but also for safety.
The NFU has four key asks for government policy:
- 100% nationwide gigabit-capable broadband coverage
- Prioritise the Shared Rural Network
- Equal focus on different types of broadband
- Up-skilling and training
We asked Charles that if a technologist walked into his office and said ‘I have an invention that would solve a major headache for farmers’, what challenge would this wonder invention address in his view?
He laughs: “It would make it rain or be sunny on just the right days! However, barring any control over the weather, the biggest challenges by sector are:
- Poultry – avian influenza and fairness in the supply chain
- Horticulture – access to water and fairness in the supply chain
- Livestock – abattoir shortages (and protestors)
- Combinable crops – market volatility (both inputs and sales)
Anything to address those challenges would help.
‘Ag101 – An Introduction to the Industry’ is to be held from 10:00 – 16:30 on Thursday 14th September at The Postdoc Centre at Eddington, 105 Eddington Place, Cambridgeshire, CB3 1AS.
Speakers include farmers and growers, agronomists and supply-chain managers, and there will be plenty of opportunity to network and explore the challenges.
Find out more at agri-tech-e.co.uk/events.
[image credit: NFU]
