Precision Agriculture in Field Horticulture: The Potential for Agri-technology to Facilitate Innovation and Promote Value in Outdoor Fruit and Vegetable Production

This book provides an authoritative summary of the role that precision agriculture plays in the production of field horticultural crops. It also shows how science and engineering redefine the place of precision agriculture in our fields, orchards and vineyards. The book provides an overview of the current state of the art, case studies of real-life applications of agri-technology in horticulture, and evidence-based perspectives on likely future developments. It addresses the challenges, limitations and potential of precision farming technologies in the production, harvesting and post-harvest sorting of a range of annual and perennial horticultural crops. The provision of fresh produce presents unique challenges and opportunities amenable to the application of agri-technology to address issues ranging from high labour costs through to food safety and traceability. Indeed, the possibilities presented by automation are catalyzing the complete redesign of some field horticultural production systems.

Paul Newell Price is Head of Soils & Nutrients at ADAS. He is a Chartered Scientist and Fellow of the British Society of Soil Science with over 30 years of research experience working on soil and nutrient management in agricultural and horticultural systems in the UK and overseas. Paul has undertaken applied, strategic and policy driven research and consultancy for the European Commission, UK government departments, the UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), farmers and growers. Paul led the AHDB 2016-17 review and revision of RB209 (Nutrient Management Guide); and co-led the AHDB Project CP 107c "The application of precision farming technologies to drive sustainable intensification in horticulture cropping systems (PF-Hort)". Paul is a “Fertiliser Advisers Certification and Training Scheme” (FACTS) accredited trainer and ADAS representative on the UK FACTS Advisory Committee.

Lizzie Sagoo is Associate Managing Director of the ADAS Sustainable Agricultural Systems Business and President Elect of the British Society of Soil Science. She is a Soil Scientist by training, with specialist knowledge of soil and nutrient management and diffuse pollution of air and water from agricultural systems. She has detailed knowledge of national fertiliser recommendation systems and precision farming techniques for improved soil and nutrient management. Lizzie’s current R&D projects focus on precision farming, improved nutrient management and the environmentally sustainable recycling of organic materials to land. She led delivery of the EU Interreg project ‘Increasing the speed and uptake of innovation in the field vegetable and potato sectors: defining a new approach for delivering cost effective research (INNO-VEG). She is a STEM ambassador and supports the British Society of Soil Science on their Outreach, Grants & Awards, and Publications committees.

Roger Robson-Williams is Chief Sustainability Officer at the New Zealand Institute of Plant and Food Research, a member of the Sustainability Sub-Board the New Zealand Technology Industry Association, and former chair of the Precision Agriculture Association of New Zealand. Formerly Director of Research Development at the Foundation for Arable Research, Roger was responsible for building research collaboration nationally and internationally to support the New Zealand cropping sector. Prior to this, Roger was Head of Science at the Royal Horticultural Society in the UK, where he led applied research projects relevant to horticulture. Roger also worked for in the R&D department of the UK’s Home-Grown Cereals Authority, managing research projects on precision farming on behalf of UK farmers. He is an Accredited Future-Fit Advisor, a Certified Integrated Reporting Practitioner, and has a PhD in plant pathology.