M&S adopts drones and robot tractors to farm parsnips, aiming to cut carbon emissions and improve crop quality.
- The company pioneers ‘autonomous field’ farming in the UK, targeting environmental impacts of agriculture.
- Initial trials conducted in Yorkshire with partnerships to enhance resource efficiency and yield.
- Innovative technology integrates green fertilisers and reduced diesel consumption for sustainable practices.
- Project supported by M&S Plan A’s accelerator fund, focusing on innovation and net-zero goals.
Marks & Spencer (M&S) has introduced an innovative approach to cultivating parsnips by employing drones and robot tractors. This initiative, announced ahead of the festive season, represents a significant step towards reducing the carbon footprint associated with agricultural practices. The retailer is leading the charge as the first in the UK to implement an ‘autonomous field’ farming method, focusing on improving crop quality and production while minimising environmental impacts.
The inaugural phase of this project commenced in March, with the planting of parsnips in Yorkshire. In collaboration with its root vegetable supplier, Huntapac, M&S has deployed two robots for tasks such as bed forming, weeding, and planting. Additionally, two types of drones are utilised to oversee crop health, ensuring that the crops receive optimal care and monitoring throughout their growth cycle.
This technological endeavour aims to retain carbon within the soil, further aided by the use of green fertilisers. The advanced machinery offers a more sustainable alternative to traditional agriculture by significantly reducing diesel consumption. This approach not only lessens the carbon impact but also promises to enhance both the quality and quantity of the parsnip yield, as asserted by M&S.
The harvested parsnips are expected to reach several M&S stores by November, marking the first agricultural project financed by the company’s sustainability initiative, Plan A’s accelerator fund. This fund was established to drive swift progress towards achieving net-zero emissions through various pioneering projects.
Andrew Clappen, M&S Food Technical Director, emphasises the importance of adopting lower-impact farming methods in tackling one of the main contributors to emissions—agriculture. He notes that trialling innovative farming techniques is crucial in pursuing their Plan A roadmap towards net-zero, delivering not only improved produce but also potentially creating a landscape for highly skilled employment within the sector.
The drone and robot tractor trials by M&S signify a groundbreaking move towards sustainable agriculture, reducing emissions and enhancing crop yields.
