| Title: |
Investing in technology to address labour shortages in UK fresh produce and horticulture: How does this redefine standards of good agricultural practice. |
| Authors: |
Korir, Lilian1 (AUTHOR) lkorir@lincoln.ac.uk; Drake, Archie1 (AUTHOR); Collison, Martin2 (AUTHOR); Camacho Villa, Carolina1 (AUTHOR); Sklar, Elizabeth1 (AUTHOR); Pearson, Simon1 (AUTHOR); Manning, Louise1 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: |
Local Economy. Feb/Mar2024, Vol. 39 Issue 1/2, p3-12. 10p. |
| Subject Terms: |
*LABOR market; *TECHNOLOGICAL innovations; *INNOVATION adoption; *AGRICULTURAL laborers; AGRICULTURE |
| Abstract: |
The global agri-food sector is becoming more fragile as a result of supply chain shocks like COVID-19, Brexit and conflict, which is posing a growing challenge to the horticultural industry. As a result, it is becoming clearer how crucial seasonal agricultural migrant workers are to ensuring food security. Delivering GAP requires taking into account the effects of COVID-19 and Brexit on the UK's fresh produce and horticulture sectors as well as the potential for increased demand for automation and Agriculture 4.0. In the medium and long run, the market conditions may favourably accelerate automation and the adoption of Agriculture 4.0 as a workable solution to the workforce shortage. The greatest opportunities for automation and the application of new technology will be found in the transport, harvest, and post-harvest processes. Investment in automation and technology adoption depends on access to finance, appropriate training and upskilling, and other stakeholders' support (e.g. by retailers). We conclude that understanding the need for automation, embracing Agriculture 4.0, utilising labour schemes, and envisioning how work and farming will change in the future is critical when examining GAP in the context of an integrated approach within the fresh produce and horticulture sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| : |
Copyright of Local Economy is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| Database: |
Business Source Premier |