Broccoli from Tesco’s low carbon concept farm in Lincolnshire has hit the shelves this week, giving customers a first taste of veg grown using a variety of low carbon techniques. The farm, developed in partnership with some of Tesco’s long-standing vegetable suppliers, is exploring innovations such as low carbon fertilisers, alternative fuels, state-of-the-art cold storage, and carbon removal techniques.
Broccoli and purple sprouting broccoli have been grown using a number of different sustainable agriculture methods including cover cropping, which locks nutrients into the soil and improves drainage. The crop has also been grown using peat-free soil in glass houses, before being transferred to the farm, with the aim of reducing its carbon footprint. The crop, grown by Tesco supplier, TH Clements is currently being harvested and has performed as well as the broccoli grown using conventional methods.
The farm is one of two set up by the retailer to help get innovation on to farms that can reduce carbon emissions, improve efficiencies, and protect and restore nature. The farms were launched in response to recommendations in Tesco’s Greenprint for UK Farming report, which was informed by the views of farmers, and published at the start of the year.
Natalie Smith, Head of Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries said: “It’s great to see the first fresh vegetables from our low carbon concept farm now being stocked in Tesco stores across the UK. One of the aims of the farm is to test and learn from a variety of low carbon approaches, which in turn can de-risk the process for other farms in our supply chain and further afield. Increasing funding for innovation in UK agriculture is one of the key recommendations in our Greenprint for UK Farming report, and it’s vital farmers have the ability to invest in new technology and approaches, if we’re to tackle the challenges caused by climate change and nature loss.”
Peter Taylor, Agriculture Director at TH Clements said: “We’re thrilled the first broccoli grown on the low carbon concept farm is now available in Tesco stores. As well as testing and scaling a number of different techniques, we want to ensure other farms in the Tesco supply chain can benefit from the work we’re doing, so it’s great to see the quality of the crop now being harvested. It’s performed just as well as crops grown using conventional methods, so there is real potential for these techniques to be used more widely.”
Branston, Tesco’s potato supplier is leading the project and is due to start its own potato harvest later this month.
With 20 acres of potatoes being grown on the farm using low carbon methods, Branston will be harvesting 520 tonnes from next week, which will go into cold storage for later in the year– this roughly equates to 260,000 two kilo packs of potatoes hitting Tesco shelves. The potato crops grown at the farm have benefitted from a variety of growing techniques to reduce their environmental impact. These include:
- Using a combination of low carbon fertilisers, with validated carbon reduction benefits – including a technology that breaks down nitrous oxide in the air into harmless nitrogen and oxygen, while feeding the plants.
- Using a reduced cultivation system which involves fewer tractor passes, minimising soil disturbance and reducing the amount of fuel needed.
- Drones used for early disease identification and targeted applications.
- Trickle irrigation used to help save water and improve efficiency.
Mark Willcox, agronomy director at Branston Ltd said: “Our ‘recipe’ for growing low carbon potatoes has really moved on this year and we’re delighted that customers will soon be able to buy these in store for the first time. We’ve been really pleased with this years’ crop, with quality and yield being at least as good as crop grown in the conventional way. We already have exciting plans to work with Tesco next season to lower the carbon footprint further!”
