M&S pioneers an autonomous farming trial utilizing drones and robot tractors.
- The aim is to cut carbon emissions and enhance parsnip crop quality.
- Initiated in Yorkshire, the trial began in partnership with Huntapac.
- Technology seeks to improve yields and protect soil carbon.
- This forms part of M&S’s Plan A sustainability initiative.
In a groundbreaking move within the agricultural sector, M&S has embarked on an autonomous farming trial, leveraging cutting-edge technology such as drones and robot tractors. This initiative aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions associated with parsnip cultivation. The trial asserts M&S’s position as the first UK retailer to experiment with such a method, with the dual goals of enhancing both crop quality and quantity. Set to hit the shelves in November, these autonomously farmed vegetables are a testament to M&S’s commitment to sustainability.
Launched in March in Yorkshire, M&S has collaborated with its root vegetable supplier, Huntapac, to plant the first set of parsnips using two robots dedicated to bed forming, weeding, and planting. Concurrently, two varieties of drones play a pivotal role in sustaining and overseeing the health of the crops. Through these technological advances, M&S endeavors to not only improve yield quality but also reduce the environmental impact of conventional farming techniques.
An innovative approach ensures that carbon remains sequestered in the soil, utilizing green fertilizers alongside technology that markedly reduces diesel usage compared to traditional tractors. Aside from environmental benefits, M&S highlights that this technology boosts both the quality and quantity of harvests. The initiative is the inaugural project financed by M&S’s Plan A accelerator fund, launched this year to drive swift action towards achieving net zero through various innovation projects.
Andrew Clappen, M&S Food’s Technical Director, noted that agriculture is among the leading contributors to emissions, underscoring the necessity for innovative, lower-impact farming methods. He emphasizes that this trial is a critical component in M&S’s broader strategy to support their Plan A road map to net zero. According to Clappen, the project not only delivers enhanced parsnip quality and reduced carbon emissions but also fosters employment in high-tech agriculture, potentially drawing new talent into the sector.
M&S’s autonomous farming trial marks a promising step towards sustainable agriculture and carbon emission reduction.
