Increasing demands on land space is leading to significant interest in the potential for new ways to farm certain types of fresh produce. One new method currently attracting attention is Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). By enclosing a growing crop in a structure, CEA provides protection by reducing exposure to the outdoor environment. This approach can vary – from keeping the crop in simple greenhouses to fully enclosed ‘vertical farms’.
These new approaches to farming are the subject
of a new CFA position paper. The paper looks at the
positives of the method which can include
a longer growing season, le
ss wastage due to bad weather and reduced pesticide use. It also outlines the negatives – which centre on the risk of pathogen growth.
CFA champions best practice in fresh produce farming so will support these new methods and would expect them to follow the same best practice principles as traditional outdoor farming systems. The paper can be found on the CFA website.
See also CFA’s Good Agricultural Practice standards for fresh produce