CHAP Innovation Sector Lead Dr Réka Haraszi give ear a shop series on specialty crops , which ran over four weeks from 15th January 2021 . Here she supply a summary of the capacity , which may be of interest to growers depend increase their compass of crop .
The workshops , run by OMAFRA ( Canada ) , render information for entrepreneurial farmer look to get new , strange or underutilised plants to target ecological niche markets , reach economic benefits and to enter mainstream Department of Agriculture .
More significantly , they showed how increase engagement with specialty crops contribute significantly to an enhanced stratum of crop diversity . speaker system shared knowledge and further resource on crop and cuss management , crop characterisation and their applications .
Farming systemsUK growers are increasingly look for opportunities in speciality crop , which can cater choice for protein and other functional nutrient resources for mankind and animals . increase crop diversity is important to bear out a sustainable , healthy agrifood system . geographic and climate features , filth calibre and crop direction are key components to accomplish this
It was fascinating to hear how many untapped , and valuable , plant are not part of Canada ’s current farming systems . Examples include lavender , hops , elderberry , sea buckthorn , hazelnut , angelical chestnut , walnut , okra , tomatillo , peppers , eggplant , honeyed potato and Jerusalem artichoke among others . These could be cultivated for a wide range of purposes either as a coinage or their sort .
DiversivicationCrop diversification is equally authoritative for the UK and similar data on UK - specific non - conventional crop would help the sphere to achieve a more diverse compass of plants in succeeding farming and food system . Scientific and technical activities in the UK may allow us to grow specialty crop even more efficiently , using alternative rise organisation such as vertical farms and advance nursery . Also , the UK landscape and access to sea water think of there is already opportunity to make grow specialty crop husbandry . One example is The University of Plymouth ’s inquiry on the added time value of extract from Cornish seaweeds and native plant for anti - senescent and UVB security property , but seaweed is also a worthful solid food seed , as well as raw material for food packaging .
