Today, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) launched a new report, 'The Opportunity for Mechanisation and Automation in UK Environmental Horticulture,' at its FutureGrow Expo event at Stoneleigh Park in Kenilworth.
The research aims to summarise the scope of UK plant and tree production and show potential opportunities for researchers and providers of innovative new technologies to collaborate with the forward-looking environmental horticulture sector. According to the HTA, this is crucial to secure greener growth for the UK in the coming years.
The report includes sections such as "Environmental Horticulture in the UK", "Growth Potential for the Sector and Labour Challenges", and "Technological Solutions", as well as two case studies from HTA members, J & A Growers in Warwickshire and Hilliers Nurseries Ltd in Hampshire.
Fran Barnes, HTA Chief Executive, commented: ""The environmental horticulture industry is at a pivotal time of transition as we prepare ourselves for the future. With ambitious governmental environment targets, our sector needs support to evolve with technological advancements in order to help the UK reach its environmental goals. Our report shows the clear possibility of accelerating growth."
Laura Jeffery, HTA Market Research Manager, on the report: "The plants and trees produced in the UK by commercial growers are increasingly being recognized for the role they have to play in improving the nation's health and wellbeing and mitigating the effects of climate change. The pool of people in the core hobby gardening demographics is also set to grow in the years to come as the UK population ages, further increasing the demand for plants and trees."
You can read the full report here.
For more information:
Horticultural Trades Association
www.the-hta.org.uk