Key Takeaways
- Transition to Indoor Growing: JEPCO is increasing glasshouse capacity to combat outdoor risks like climate change, pests, and soil contamination.
- Technological Integration: The company is utilizing Zayndu’s ActivatedAir plasma seed priming to accelerate germination and increase annual crop cycles.
- Yield Improvements: Internal trials at JEPCO showed reliable yield increases of 11% for spinach and 13% for rocket.
- Sustainability Goals: The shift aims for year-round, 52-week production with a target of reaching carbon neutrality.
JEPCO Strategic Shift to Controlled Environments
Lincolnshire-based JEPCO, a third-generation leafy salad producer managing 800 hectares of outdoor crops, is significantly increasing its glasshouse production capacity. This move is a direct response to the diminishing availability of traditional pest and weed control tools and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.
By shifting production into controlled environments, JEPCO aims to mitigate risks associated with climate change, such as unpredictable wet periods and hail. Furthermore, indoor systems allow the producer to eliminate common field issues like aphid infestations and soil splashing, the latter of which often requires vigorous washing that can reduce the shelf life of the produce.
Optimizing Output through Technology
The transition involves a heavy focus on research and development. JEPCO has established an in-house development team and research facility to identify innovations that justify the capital investment required for glasshouse expansion. A primary goal is to ensure consistency and quality, particularly for the catering and sandwich-production markets where non-conformities must be kept to a minimum.
