Hull startup Gooddrop aims to lead in vertical cotton farming with a £1m investment.
- A strategic research partnership with the University of Nottingham supports this ambition.
- Gooddrop aspires to transform cotton production from outdoor fields to controlled indoor environments.
- The company plans to rewild land equivalent to Germany’s size, enhancing ecological balance.
- Vertical farming could drastically reduce land use while boosting cotton yield.
Hull agritech startup Gooddrop has initiated a groundbreaking £1 million investment to position itself as a global leader in vertical cotton farming. This ambitious move begins with a significant three-year research collaboration with the University of Nottingham, leveraging the institution’s expertise to achieve sustainability in cotton production. CEO Simon Wardle stated, ‘We have founded Gooddrop to provide the retail sector with an entirely manageable solution to issues of sustainability in cotton farming.’
The collaboration with the University of Nottingham is central to Gooddrop’s strategy. The university, renowned for its comprehensive expertise in plant science, is tasked with developing innovative vertical farming techniques for cotton, traditionally an outdoor crop. Professor Erik Murchie emphasised the project’s potential, noting the aim to make cotton cultivation more sustainable by reducing inputs and enabling controlled growth conditions indoors.
As part of this initiative, Gooddrop has constructed six bespoke cotton research units at the University of Nottingham’s Sutton Bonington Campus. These units, designed and manufactured by Cambridge HOK, are equipped to explore advanced agricultural methods.
Gooddrop’s approach promises substantial environmental benefits, as highlighted by Simon Wardle. By shifting cotton farming indoors, the company aims to use less than 0.4 per cent of the land currently required for cotton cultivation. Wardle envisions that this efficiency will allow for the rewilding of an area comparable to the size of Germany, potentially contributing to significant ecological improvements such as enhanced CO2 sequestration and biodiversity.
Furthermore, Gooddrop plans to maintain momentum by seeking additional investments from private equity, venture capitalists, and various funding entities. This continued financial support is deemed crucial for the project’s growth and implementation.
Gooddrop’s innovative approach to cotton farming represents a promising step towards greater agricultural sustainability and environmental restoration.
