Energy saving programme extended to soft fruit sector

GrowSave, an AHDB-funded project, has been helping the protected edible and ornamental industry reduce their energy costs and use for over ten years
GrowSave, an AHDB-funded project, has been helping the protected edible and ornamental industry reduce their energy costs and use for over ten years

The UK soft fruit industry can now benefit from energy and cost saving advice following the extension of the GrowSave programme.

FEC Energy and the AHDB have agreed to broaden the programme to UK soft fruit grown under protection.

GrowSave delivers energy saving advice to the protected cropping horticultural industry.

The announcement comes as the sector struggles with labour shortages, loss of plant protection products and restrictions on water usage, making it more challenging to grow crops.

Scott Raffle, AHDB Knowledge Exchange Manager said: “AHDB has been aiding the glasshouse sector for years by funding the GrowSave scheme to develop energy saving and improve environmental control.

“By expanding this to focus on glasshouse soft fruit growers, we hope to be able to rapidly improve knowledge and expertise in this area.”

Mr Raffle added: “Modest energy savings could equate to big financial returns, which have proven successful for the traditional protected edible and ornamental sectors.”

GrowSave specialises in sharing technical knowledge on glasshouse structures, ventilation, lighting, heating, storage and cooling, boilers, pumping and climate control

Salih Hodzhov, AHDB Soft Fruit Panel member said: “GrowSave can and will help growers to adopt a different way of growing.

“Bringing all the knowledge from glasshouse growing to field crops grown under protection, could help us achieve better results without huge capital investments.”

GrowSave has already had some involvement with the soft fruit sector, having organised a study tour to Belgium and the Netherlands in early 2017.