Insect protein, fermentation products and high-value produce grown in a controlled environment are the subject of a webinar hosted by Agri-TechE.
Modular insect farms are a groundbreaking and profitable waste management solution to help solve challenges like water pollution from excess poultry manure, simultaneously reducing our reliance on imported protein, says Larry Kotch, CEO of Flybox.
Flybox is developing smaller-scale insect farms. Larry says insect farms can be more efficient than an AD system while boasting greener credentials. The two technologies are also highly complementary.
“Farmers can diversify into the new protein source,” says Larry. “Growers could convert a building lika an old poultry shed into an insect protein factory and have a guaranteed end market. We are trying to make it much more accessible with a lower requirement for capital.
“Previously, insect protein production was based around large factories with teams of entomologists and ingredients experts, which had a high amount of risk.”
As agriculture moves from the chemical to the biological age, there’s also potential for farmers to manufacture their own inputs, believes Joanne Neary, Senior Technical Lead at the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI).
For years, CPI has had queries from farmers, mainly in America, asking for advice on how to culture certain bacteria, explains Joanne.
“You would get questions from a farmer with an IBC container trying to grow microbes which they have tested on plots of tomatoes, asking us to help them refine the process. These days, the majority of enquiries are for non-farming businesses that have fermentors, but it’s an interesting concept to move this onto farms.”
Farmers making compost teas are already carrying out a process similar to a lab fermenter, so it is only a small step to a more formalised process, believes Jo. If the biologicals are produced correctly, it is cheaper than buying them because they do not need the sophisticated formulation to keep the organisms alive.
She says: “Much of the R&D budgets for commercial biological production is looking at the formulation. It is key to ensure the microbes are still viable when the product is stored, however it is packaged. You need the cells to stay in dormancy but still be viable.
“The cheaper approach is to make something on farm and use it immediately. You won’t have something that is stable, but if you can make it when you need it, why would you care?
“Another nice aspect of DIY biologicals is if you understand your soil microbial population, or if there’s a particular problem, you could tailor it to your needs.”
Mark Horler, Chairman of UK Urban Agri-Tech (UKUAT), believes that controlled environment growing technologies could be a viable proposition for arable and livestock farmers, providing they have the infrastructure. They would also link ideally with the quintessential farm diversification – a farm shop.
“UKUAT has identified a great deal of interest in controlled environment growing technologies as a form of diversification for farmers and landowners,” says Mark. “However, significant challenges and barriers remain. That might be in practical terms, for example, the capital cost, integration with renewable energy, or simply knowing where to get started and how to make appropriate choices.”
Firms like Grow Dynamics offer modular growing solutions more suited to the scale and cost farmers seek, but advice is still needed to navigate a complex landscape.
He adds: “Protected and controlled environment horticulture encompasses a wide range of technologies and approaches – from low tech/ low cost/ low control, for example, polytunnels, right the way through to Totally Controlled Environment Agriculture (TCEA) such as vertical farming. UKUAT tries to help bust some of the myths that have arisen around this topic and help farmers find the right advice.”
Larry, Joanne and Mark will discuss the opportunities of future farm diversification in a webinar on April 24th, hosted by Agri-TechE. It’s a chance to delve into the technology, with information on how to get started and the opportunity to ask the speakers questions.
To register to attend or find out more, visit the Agri-TechE website
