In an £80 million greenhouse complex on the Isle of Thanet in Kent, cucumbers are being harvested as we speak. This is unusual because the month of January is completely out of season for harvesting crops such as cucumbers, but using state-of-the-art technology and sustainable growing techniques, the innovative project named Thanet Earth manages to grow crops such as these nearly all year round.
Amongst other crops, Thanet Earth is able to grow a steady supply of cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes, which are ready for harvesting any time between January and November. This is because of the hydroponic growing technologies employed at Thanet Earth, who use a computer-controlled drip feed system, outstanding light levels, and the considerable height of the giant greenhouses to ensure that crops are both safe and of high-quality. These techniques also mean that crops are ready for harvesting only a month after they have been planted, an unprecedented growth time.
This exciting project is a major leap forward in the field of food technology, a development that will be welcomed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), who recently expressed serious concerns over food shortages in the future.
These concerns have led to a concentrated focus on sustainable growing techniques in order to meet future demand, which will in turn to lead to a wealth of new food job opportunities opening up in the fields of food science, food technology and agricultural development.
nice post. thanks.