Advanced technology is playing an ever-increasing role in creating more sustainable practice across a variety of industries under threat from climate change.
High Technology Urban Horticulture (HTUH) is being implemented in urban areas internationally to serve a variety of purposes including economic development, community engagement and environmental benefits.
The term high-tech horticulture refers to the production of plants within a growing structure, typically a building or greenhouse. It involves the implementation of technology that optimises the use of resources such as water, energy and labour in order to achieve higher yields from intensive production.
Commissioned by Hort Innovation, and developed by agricultural consultancy RMCG, ISF has partnered with Agritecture to contribute towards the Opportunities for High Technology Horticulture in Urban Australia report. The report considers effective urban farming applications being utilised overseas, in the Australian context.
The report explores several high-tech growing opportunities including floating glasshouses, container farms and turning carparks into urban horticulture farms. Due to Australia’s climate vulnerability and water scarcity, HTUH also offers benefit in that it is highly water efficient and resilient to the extreme elements.
Technology controlled local production systems are attracting more interest and are a natural complement to traditional productions systems. The value proposition of such an approach has great potential in the Australian context.
Guided by an industry led reference group, the study involved growers and emerging commercial leaders engaged in urban high-technology horticulture in Brisbane and Sydney, members of local city councils, and subject-matter experts in protected cropping.
Is urban farming right for Australia?
There may be negative social perceptions that this form of horticulture is not ‘real agriculture’ due to its nature and localisation in urban settings. Support is needed from urban communities with a desire for ‘locally grown food’ and interest in engaging with the food growing space. Government incentives for food production in new urban developments will go a long way in furthering these modern farming systems.
Report recommendations to improve the feasibility of the high-tech farming approach include capacity building for producers and improving social acceptance through community engagement.
With an ageing agricultural workforce which is struggling to attract new people, HTUH may prove an exciting and viable opportunity in Australia.
RESEARCHERS
-
Senior Research Consultant -
Research Director
Year
- 2021-
Location
- Australia
Partners
RMCG
Agritecture
Graeme Smith
