The agri-food sector (agriculture, horticulture, food processing and food manufacturing) faces substantial challenges due to a labour shortage caused by the Covid-19 crisis. This could lead to severe problems for many market sectors, such as fruit and vegetable picking in particular.
There is an opportunity for the UK agri-food sector and technology providers to collaborate to accelerate the development and uptake of automation and robotic technologies. These technologies could help fill the labour gap brought on by Covid-19 and Brexit. The innovative solutions could be trialed this season before being scaled and fully implemented for the 2021 season.
A new group has come together to bring the industry and technology providers together to try to address these challenges. This group is made up of representatives from the University of Lincoln, the National Farmers Union, the Agri-EPI Centre, the Manufacturing Technology Centre, and the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN).
An initial webinar was hosted on April 8th, to share the vision prepared by Professor Simon Pearson (agri-food technology at the University of Lincoln) and Dave Ross (CEO of Agri-EPI). Watch a recording of the webinar here.
The follow-up post webinar suggests a range of opportunities.
- 3 to 6 months: Most likely new and existing machines like autonomous vehicles and packhouse automation to help with blueberry, broccoli and raspberry picking.
- 12 to 18 months: Most likely robotics to help with strawberries, top fruit (logistic) and asparagus (with international collaboration).
The outputs from this initial webinar were progressed by the core group into a series of potential industry-led projects. They were then presented to the community to comment, offer support and contribute again during a series of three webinars hosted by KTN. The webinars, held in early May, focussed on three highest priority areas, soft fruit, field vegetables and top fruit.
For more information:
Knowledge Transfer Network
Unit 218,
Business Design Centre
Upper Street, Islington
London N1 0QH
www.ktn-uk.co.uk