The Potato-LITE project will be delivered by a cross-industry consortium, led by PepsiCo R&D by PepsiCo in partnership with McCain Foods GB Ltd, GRIMME UK Ltd, Crop Health and Protection (CHAP), Cranfield University, Harper Adams University; and farmers from Strawson Limited, JRO Griffiths Ltd, JM Bubb & Son and H Sutton & Son.
The project has received multimillion pound funding from DEFRA and UKRI as part of the Farming Innovation Programme. Delivered over four years, the project will develop novel machinery and cultivation practices for UK-based potato farms to minimise tillage intensity, improve soil health and lower greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).
Tillage is considered one of the largest drivers of GHG emissions after fertiliser use, making this a critical area for improvement. Current potato tillage operations can lead to loss of soil organic carbon into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2). Global research has shown that the loss of soil carbon can reduce soil productivity, which can increase the need for fertiliser inputs and reduce farm profits – making the investment in low intensity tillage solutions more important than ever.
"Agriculture is at the heart of PepsiCo, including our Walkers brand in the UK. As a business, we're deeply committed to developing scientifically validated solutions which will enable us to make progress towards our global PepsiCo Positive (pep+) goal of spreading regenerative farming practices across 7 million acres by 2030.
The Potato-LITE project will help us drive this positive action by transforming potato cultivation and improving soil health whilst reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We are delighted to be working in partnership across the supply chain, including our growers, as we work towards a net zero future”
DR MAC MCWILLIAM, R&D DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, PEPSICO
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