| Arable
Trailblazing Tomatoes
Fruitful partnership for graduate .
A n award-winning high-yield farming system developed by young entrepreneur is currently being trialled in Wales .
Entrepreneur Adam Dixon , a
Cardiff University School of Engineering graduate , has teamed up with Aberystwyth University to grow two tonnes of tomatoes in a small greenhouse this summer , using his patented Phytoponics system .
Phytoponics is an agricultural start-up cofounded with Luke Parkin and born out of Adam ’ s hydroponic hobby .
The trial is designed to show investors the potential of the system , which produces high yields and uses 10 times less land and water than other agricultural processes , with no use of pesticides and herbicides .
Harvesting will continue into November with plans to upscale to a commercial-size pilot farm following completion .
Described as a ‘ Jacuzzi in a bag ’, the Phytoponics system rolls out and inflates to provide a safe haven for a range of commercial plants , from salads to vines , growing plants very fast .
The sealed unit delivers nutrient-rich water to roots through an integrated aerator whilst keeping moisture in , and pests out .
Adam said , “ Taking a small 50m2 greenhouse to grow two tonnes of tomatoes in 6 months is a great accomplishment , but I think in Wales and the UK we need to produce much more if we are to become self-sufficient in growing our own fruits and vegetables as a country .
“ Wales has many agricultural challenges due to its difficult geography of mountains and saline soils . I believe there is a great opportunity for Wales to implement new advanced technologies including Phytoponics to tackle food security sustainably and become less reliant on imports .”
Phytoponics and Adam have already clinched a string of awards including Innovative Start-Up of the Year at the Wales Start Up Awards 2017 , UN Young Champion of The Earth for Europe 2017 , and the Shell LiveWIRE
Smarter Future Award 2017 .
This year , Adam is one of three UN Young Champions of the Earth to be selected as a Climate Trailblazer in the run-up to the Global Climate Action Summit , which takes place in San Francisco later this month .
The Climate Trailblazers have been chosen from around the world and reflect the global nature of the Global Climate Action Summit , which aims to bring together the best in international climate change activity .
Adam , who has proved himself as an emerging voice with a passion for climate issues , has been chosen to represent Europe and is spreading awareness of the Summit ’ s ambitious goals in the lead up to the event ; showing that passionate , everyday people can do extraordinary things if they choose to act .
The first harvest of tomatoes ( Roma Returno ) from the trial has been sold to local customers including Chef Matteo Monacelli , from the Royal Pier , Aberystwyth .
18 | Farming Monthly | September 2018 www . farmingmonthly . co . uk