A groundbreaking project titled “Precision Pollination for Higher Strawberry Productivity and Quality” is setting new standards in the UK’s agritech sector, using drone technology to address the challenges of pollinating strawberry crops.
The initiative is a collaboration between the UK Agri-Tech Centre, Angus Soft Fruits, and drone specialists Polybee, with financial backing from Innovate UK. This pioneering effort focuses on overcoming the pollination difficulties found in controlled environments like polytunnels and glasshouses.
Strawberries, a crop that generated £377 million in revenue in 2022, are a cornerstone of the UK’s fruit industry. However, traditional pollination methods, particularly within controlled environments, can sometimes fall short, reducing both yields and fruit quality. This latest initiative seeks to resolve these issues by deploying drones from Polybee, which help move pollen by altering airflow, targeting critical growth periods to ensure more efficient pollination.
The project’s overarching goal is to increase the volume of Class 1 and premium strawberries, highly sought after by retailers, while potentially extending the strawberry growing season. In doing so, the initiative highlights the intersection of agricultural technology and innovation, with an emphasis on food security and sustainability within the UK’s soft fruit market.
Katie Clark, Project Manager at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, stressed the importance of the work being done. “Drone technology offers a unique opportunity to complement natural pollination processes, helping to improve the consistency and quality of yields.” Lucy Wilkins, Breeding Programme Director at Angus Soft Fruits, echoed this sentiment, pointing out how the project could benefit multiple stakeholders across the supply chain. “This collaborative approach could deliver tangible improvements for growers, marketing groups, and retail customers, ensuring a supply of superior quality strawberries.”
As the UK continues to explore innovative methods to enhance agricultural efficiency, this initiative stands out as a key example of how technology can be harnessed to boost productivity, improve sustainability, and secure the future of the nation’s food supply.
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