M&S is pioneering autonomous farming methods to enhance sustainability.
- The retailer is using drones and robot tractors to cultivate parsnips.
- This innovation is part of efforts to boost crop quality and reduce carbon emissions.
- Parsnips were planted in March in collaboration with supplier Huntapac.
- Autonomously farmed parsnips will be available in stores by November.
Marks & Spencer is breaking new ground in sustainable agriculture by implementing autonomous farming techniques. The retailer has introduced the use of drones and robot tractors to produce parsnips, aiming to enhance both the quality and quantity of their crops while significantly reducing carbon emissions. This initiative positions M&S as a leader in adopting futuristic agricultural technologies.
The project marks the first time a UK retailer has trialled an ‘autonomous field’ method, which seeks to optimise farming processes through automation. The parsnips, planted in Yorkshire in March alongside root vegetable supplier Huntapac, benefit from innovative technologies for bed forming, weeding, and planting.
Drones are employed to monitor and maintain crop health, while new technologies are in place to reduce reliance on diesel, furthering the environmental benefits. As a result, M&S not only aims to minimise the carbon footprint of their operations but also enhance the quality and volume of their produce.
Scheduled for sale in November, these parsnips represent the first M&S Food project funded by their Plan A sustainability programme. The programme is designed to accelerate actions towards net zero by supporting innovation projects. By promoting this transformative approach, M&S is poised to impact the agricultural industry positively.
Andrew Clappen, M&S Food technical director, stated, ‘Agriculture is one of our biggest contributors to emissions, so it’s important that we find new lower impact farming methods.’ This effort underscores M&S’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and leading the way in sustainable farming practices.
This initiative by M&S not only showcases advancements in technology but also represents a significant step towards sustainable farming.
