The AFN Network+ is delighted to announce an experimental rolling flexible fund for UK-based stakeholders to implement activities that support our mission to build a community of practice working towards achieving net zero through the agri-food sector by 2050. We build collaborative relationships between key actors in the agri-food system, and support farmer and academic projects including on-farm trials combined with desktop research. The AFN Network+ is building a broad knowledge base to support better peer-to-peer sharing and help UK businesses meet the challenge of climate and nature crises.
Open to members of the AFN Network+, the fund is for any UK-based activity that explores, develops and trials solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the agri-food system (covering primary production, processing, distribution, retail, catering and consumption). Activities should contribute to identifying and shaping the research, innovation and policy development required to deliver an agri-food system that supports the UK’s net zero by 2050 target. Activities could include (but are not limited to): workshops; discussion panels and roundtables; podcasts; farm-led field trials; digital or technology-based activities (e.g. digitising archives); or other events. The total amount you can apply for is between £500 and £2,000. More details on the Stakeholder FlexFund. Synthetic fertilisers are a significant contributor of greenhouse gases in agriculture, and tackling them is vital. In June Nicholas Pitts from the Scotch Whisky Research Institute, India Langley and Lilly Manzoni from LettUs Grow, and Dr Alexandros Stratakos, Associate Professor in Sustainable Agri-Food Production at UWE Bristol, came together at the AFN Network+ Crucible event in Bristol to develop a project on this theme. Their idea, developed over two days, was one of two selected to win funding. Here they explain why assessing the use of digestates in indoor farming is so important.
LettUs Grow designs and builds aeroponic technology and farm management software for greenhouses and vertical farms. The farms require fertiliser all year round, with many growers reliant on synthetic versions, which are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Developing more climate friendly fertilisers is critical. One possible alternative to synthetic fertilisers is to use digestate from anaerobic digesters. Digestate is in surplus due to the growth of the anaerobic digestion sector, and is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium - vital for plant growth. But although digestate has been used as a fertiliser for arable crops, it hasn’t been used significantly in indoor farming systems. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
April 2024
Categories |
Proudly powered by Weebly
|
UK Research has funded this Network+ with the support of these 4 councils:
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Privacy Policy |