An automated broccoli harvester aims to unlock new value from the crop by harvesting much of the stalk not just the floret.
Usually left as waste in the field, the stalks are separated after harvest and transformed into hypoallergenic, plant-based protein and fibre ingredients – generating extra revenue and helping to build a more sustainable food system.
“Broccoli is one of the UK’s most valuable crops – yet up to 70% of each plant goes to waste,” said Mark Evans, chief executive of Upcycled Plant Power (UPP), the company behind the harvester.
Lower cost
“Our automated harvesting technology changes that. By automatically capturing more of the plant in a single pass, we can reduce labour costs, increase productivity, and improve harvest quality.”
Mr Evans said: “Crucially, we help a high-value, low-margin crop become a high-value, high-margin crop for UK farmers, removing a key barrier to growing more of the crops they want to grow.”
The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) – one of the UK’s leading applied research organisations – is working with UPP to develop the design for the manufacture and assembly of the pioneering harvester.
The project was unveiled by Defra minister Angela Eagle at this autumn’s World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit. MTC is delivering the AgriScale pilot in conjunction with the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and the Warwick Manufacturing Group.
Andy Barnes, of MTC, said: “By teaming up with UPP, we can apply our robotics and scale-up expertise to strengthen UK food supply chains and boost food security through smarter, scalable solutions.”