Event to highlight space-agriculture collaboration
UK farmers are being urged to attend a high-profile conference in London and collaborate with space technology companies in order to develop new ways of using satellites to increase food productivity.
Agriculturalists are encouraged to attend the ‘Satellites for Agri-Food’ event on 7 October that will discuss how to address challenges facing the food and agriculture sectors and assess the potential of satellites. The event, hosted by the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN), will also cover a new funding competition worth up to £3.75m from Innovate UK, along with £18m (~€25m) grants available through Horizon 2020.
Dr Andy Powell, a knowledge transfer manager with the KTN supporting the UK space industry, said: “Farming and the high-tech space industry have the potential to significantly boost food production and help avoid a future global food crisis if they work closely together. Rising populations, reduced resources and climate change mean the agriculture and food sectors need to operate more efficiently than ever.
“Satellites can revolutionise the sectors, helping producers and retailers provide enough quality food for people. Space technology is already helping monitor crops and livestock with pinpoint accuracy, optimising food transport and stocks, and improving operations by providing seamless communications across farms.”
Adding his thoughts, Dr David Telford, knowledge transfer manager for agriculture at the KTN, said that some in the industry and the agricultural sector underestimate the potential of satellites and space technology to addressing farming challenges. He commented: “They are crucial, crossing all aspects of agriculture from crops to livestock. It’s vital therefore that all sides come along to learn from each other.”
The conference aims to attract business, entrepreneurs, thought-leaders and funders in the food, agriculture and space industries and encourage collaboration and takes place at the Congress Centre in the UK capital.
