Tuesday, 22 March 2022 13:34

100% crop yield target for new indoor growing tech

Written by Staff Reporters

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New hydroponic technology will be trialled with financial backing from the Government.

A new hydroponic growing technique that aims to have higher yields and a lower impact on the environment is being trialled, with financial backing from the Government.

The trial, performed by Southern Fresh Foods, has received $869,000 funding through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund (SFF Futures) to set up an advanced technology farm.

Southern Fresh Foods will contribute $1.28 million to the venture over two and a half years.

“The project near Cambridge seeks to sustainably provide year-round production of baby leaf salads, herbs, and vegetables, and to set a benchmark of 100 percent yields,” says Minister for Agriculture Damien O’Connor.

“It’s testing an overseas growing system to ensure it can be adapted to local climatic conditions.

“The project is aiming for consistently high volumes of quality produce with a lighter impact on the environment – and so far, the results look promising.”

O’Connor says the technology involves an automated moving gully system.

“It’s unique and significantly more advanced than the hydroponic systems currently found in New Zealand. The system uses robotics to optimise space-usage based on the life stage and size of the plants being grown.

“It’s a climatic-based system and highly technical, so Southern Fresh Food has been researching the optimum LED lighting and nutrient needs for different plants at the farm’s Waikato location. They have been analysing crop yield, financial return, pesticide and fertiliser use, and carbon emissions.”

O’Connor says that while refinements are needed as the research progresses, the project has major potential.

“The system is able to achieve substantial yields using significantly less land. There are also reduced environmental impacts from using less fertiliser and pesticides, and less water. Southern Fresh Foods is targeting 100 percent yields, meaning there would be no food waste either.

“The beauty of growing these high value crops indoors is that you’re able to protect them from the elements and from pests.

“This has obvious benefits as we seek to mitigate the effects of climate change and create resilience in our production systems.”