A new survey by AHDB Horticulture is underway, looking to measure the level of uptake of automation and robotics within UK horticultural businesses over the last four years. The survey also wants to see what future opportunities there are for investment in new technology and innovation to support the sector.
Results from 2017, when the survey was originally conducted, showed over 82% believed developments in automation had helped reduce their reliance on labour.
Most British growers surveyed also hope that technological investment will focus on the development of robots for harvesting. Affordable labor remains the number one challenge for the horticulture industry, which has recently been exacerbated by coronavirus restrictions.
As mentioned on farminguk.comΒΈ the report showed 23% of horticulture businesses were unable to recruit sufficient labour to meet their targets. 100 percent of businesses experienced additional costs linked to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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