Key Takeaways:
- GyroPlant has partnered with Dole plc on an Innovate UK project to develop substrate-free farming methods.
- The partnership focuses on growing strawberries, blueberries, and leafy greens through indoor and hybrid production systems.
- The collaboration aims to reduce carbon emissions and enhance crop quality while improving supply chain efficiency.
- Dole plc’s involvement highlights its commitment to sustainable practices by exploring alternatives to traditional substrate farming.
- GyroPlant’s technology is driving innovation in COIR-free, substrate-free food production.
Partnership Announcement
GyroPlant, known for its innovations in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), has announced an official partnership with Dole plc. This partnership is part of a project supported by Innovate UK and UK Agri-Tech Centre, aimed at advancing hybrid and indoor farming methods for substrate-free production. After successfully growing strawberries substrate-free in CEA over the past year, GyroPlant and Dole are now expanding this approach to include blueberries and leafy greens.
Focus of the Partnership
The partnership focuses on developing high-density, high-quality seedlings for container and greenhouse hydroponics. By utilizing substrate-free production methods, GyroPlant and Dole aim to improve the efficiency of growing crops in both indoor and hybrid systems, which combine indoor and outdoor farming techniques.
According to Sarah Titmuss from Dole, this collaboration will accelerate the search for substrate-free propagation and production systems. The goal is to reduce the carbon footprint, lower production costs, and minimize the ecological impact of food production, all while maintaining crop quality and consistency.
Environmental and Industry Impact
Dole’s involvement in the project emphasizes its leadership in blending traditional agricultural methods with innovative technologies. The focus on eliminating the use of substrates, such as COIR (coconut fiber), is seen as a critical step in reducing carbon emissions. Substrates are used in large quantities each year and require significant shipping, which adds to the carbon footprint of food production.
The partnership between GyroPlant and Dole aims to address these challenges by developing alternatives to substrate farming that are both more efficient and environmentally friendly.
Looking Ahead
The collaboration between GyroPlant and Dole marks an important step forward in sustainable agriculture. By focusing on substrate-free production and hybrid farming, both companies are working to innovate within the industry and reduce the environmental impact of traditional farming methods. GyroPlant’s technology will play a key role in moving substrate-free production systems to the next level, offering promising solutions for the future of food production.
Gyroplant Latest News
Partners With Interstellar Lab To Transform CEA (2024/06/12)
GyroPlant, a leader in agricultural technology, has partnered with biotech startup Interstellar Lab to transform Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) on Earth and in space. The partnership aims to enhance agricultural productivity and resilience by leveraging advanced technologies and sustainable practices. Interstellar Lab, a pioneering biotech startup, focuses on creating harmony between technology and nature, fostering biodiversity and making terrestrial life multi-planetary. GyroPlant, known for its reusable substrate alternatives, aims to enhance sustainability in agriculture by adopting a circular economy approach. The partnership represents a significant step forward in CEA, integrating GyroPlant’s reusable substrate technology with Interstellar Lab’s advanced biofarms. The partnership aims to create more efficient and sustainable agricultural systems, reducing waste and improving resource use.
Collaborates with CHAP on Sustainable Indoor Farming Project (2024/02/08)
GyroPlant and Crop Health and Protection (CHAP) have launched an R&D project to develop GyroCup, a reusable and substrate-minimizing solution for Total Controlled Environment Agriculture (T/CEA). GyroCup, made from food-grade silicone rubber, could eliminate the need for substrates in certain conditions and optimize growth for specific crops. The project aims to reduce reliance on plastic net pots and single-use substrates, which are often imported and carbon-intensive. The 20-month collaboration will focus on trials, automation of seeding, and extensive testing to improve farm resilience, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. The project aims to improve food security and reduce the environmental footprint of indoor farming.
The Challenge of Single-use Plugs in Indoor Vertical Farming (2023/05/29)
Indoor vertical farming, a pioneer in agricultural innovation, relies on single-use plugs and substrates for seed germination and plant growth. However, these materials contribute to waste and environmental issues. Non-renewable materials like rock wool and coir contribute to deforestation and habitat destruction. The constant need for purchasing, disposing, and replacing single-use substrates and plugs increases operational expenditure and environmental waste. Multi-use plugs may reduce waste but increase the risk of disease and pest infestation. Gelponics, an advanced form of hydroponics, uses a hydrogel matrix but faces challenges in cost and environmental impact.
Read the complete interview here.
Image provided by GyroPlant
