Tesco has urged retailers, suppliers and technology providers to work more closely together in a bid to bolster the development of agricultural innovation.
Speaking at London Tech Week, Tesco UK chief executive Ashwin Prasad said the sector must do more to help farmers access emerging technologies, particularly at a time when global fertiliser supply chains remain under pressure, causing uncertainty for growers.
The UK’s largest retailer highlighted results from trials at its Low Carbon Concept Farm in Lincolnshire, where potato supplier Branston achieved a 50% reduction in carbon emissions through the use of low-carbon growing techniques and fertilisers, without affecting crop yields or quality. Around 500 tonnes of potatoes produced through the trial were sold in Tesco stores earlier this year.
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“We want to support our British farmers in rolling out innovation – it can help increase economic growth, build resilience and improve efficiencies on farm,” said Prasad.
“But too often promising technologies struggle to move from trial to everyday use on farms. “Low carbon fertilisers are a clear example.
“They have real potential to reduce environmental impact, strengthen the resilience of UK food production, and keep a reliable supply of British products on our shelves, but scaling them will require greater availability, clarity on price and the confidence that farmers can plan their use over the long term.
He added: “We want to share what we have learned from our work so far on projects such as our low carbon concept farm, and help shape the conditions needed for wider adoption.
Alongside its call for greater industry collaboration, Tesco has relaunched its global Agri-tech Challenge, aimed at identifying start-ups and innovators developing solutions to improve farm sustainability and efficiency.
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