A young horticultural scientist who has implemented changes to growing practices that are already bringing financial benefits as part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) has been nominated for the prestigious Business Leader of Tomorrow awards.
Daniel Smith, who works for the James Hutton institute as part of a KTP between the institute and S&A Produce UK in Herefordshire, has been working on a project to define and establish optimal fertigation - the application of fertilisers, soil amendments and other water-soluble products via irrigation systems -treatments for producers.
Since beginning the project less than 18 months ago, Smith has delivered changes that have already yielded benefits well beyond what was anticipated when the KTP was initiated. Changes to growing practices like improved monitoring and precision irrigation have resulted in reduced crop losses as well as reduced inputs, like fertiliser and water, which have amounted to significant financial savings.
He said: “I’m delighted to be nominated for the KTP Business Leader of Tomorrow awards, and that my work is making a positive contribution to the industry. The KTP between S&A and the James Hutton Institute is a prime example of how the development of closer relationships between industry and academia can result in measurable benefits that can have huge impacts across a business.”
Smith's project is being supervised by Dr Rob Hancock at the James Hutton Institute and Irene Geoghegan at S&A Produce.
KTPs aim to help businesses grow by focusing on the development of skills, knowledge, productivity and innovation.
S&A Group grows and markets soft fruit (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries) to households nationwide via the major supermarkets. Using the latest growing techniques S&A aim to deliver the freshest produce whether grown in the UK or imported from partner growers overseas. More information www.sagroup.co.uk
The awards are run by the UK’s innovation agency, the Technology Strategy Board.
No comments yet