Sustainable Growing

Supporting profitable and productive farming to produce nutritious food that doesn’t cost the earth.

Figure 1. Wildflower demonstration area sown at NIAB's East Malling site.jpg

Sustainable Innovation
for Horticulture

Farming is shifting. It is moving from high-carbon, intensive systems to an approach with fewer inputs and less waste.

Advances in agri-tech and plant science are transforming how we grow our crops. Cutting-edge precision breeding technology is creating new resilient varieties. AI and robotics can detect pests and diseases quickly. And a greater priority is being given to the health of our vital soils.

We are investing in innovation to help growers adapt to a changing climate, boost productivity, and drive profitability and growth.

Sustainable Growing Case Studies

Yellow and red raspberries in clear containers on a blue tablecloth. White mesh cover partially visible in the background.

Searching for Natural Resistance to the UK’s Biggest Soft Fruit Pest with Asplins

Asplins Producer Organisation and Niab utilised our R&D support to investigate whether specific strawberry and raspberry varieties could naturally resist spotted wing drosophila (SWD). While the project ultimately proved that varietal selection alone does not resist the pest, the research provided the industry with vital data, redirecting focus toward other essential control strategies.

Growing Kent & Medway

4 min read

Man (Richard Small) in sunglasses and cap smiling outdoors, wearing a green jacket. Background of trees and cloudy sky suggests a cheerful nature setting.

Turning Food Waste into Sustainable Insect Frass Fertiliser with Inspro

Inspro, supported by Growing Kent & Medway, successfully demonstrated a circular solution for organic waste using Black Soldier Fly larvae. By converting waste streams into nutrient-rich "frass", the project validated a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilisers that boosts soil health and microbial diversity.

Growing Kent & Medway

4 min read

Woman with long hair stands in a vineyard with bare vines, wearing a dark jacket. Sunny day, grass and vine rows in the background.

Detecting Vineyard Disease from Space Using AI Satellite Imagery with Deep Planet

Deep Planet, in collaboration with Niab and leading UK vineyards, utilised our support to develop an AI-driven disease monitoring system. By analysing satellite imagery, the project successfully demonstrated a cost-effective solution to predict fungal infections, protecting the UK's growing wine sector from yield losses.

Growing Kent & Medway

4 min read

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Report

Reviving the British Hop Industry in Kent

The UK hop sector faces significant challenges from global competition, a changing climate, and pest and diseases pressures. This report examines how a targeted strategic place-based investment can support the industry and revive British hops in Kent and Medway.

Read the report