About SFN ProjectsThe STFC Food Network+ (SFN) has funded more than 80 scoping projects since our launch in 2017. Our innovative, collaborative, and impactful projects are funded in order to give them the chance to make a meaningful contribution to the food system. All of our projects combine the expertise of STFC researchers with food researchers and industry practitioners. The diagram shows how STFC capabilities have been applied to tackle different food challenges. Use the interactive map here to view our projects or scroll down the page to find out more about the projects |
Interactive Guide to SFN ProjectsClick on the images below to find out about the projects we have undertaken all around the world!
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2021 Awarded Scoping Projects:
Virtual Inclusive Farming Clusters: Addressing sustainable livelihoods & digital divide through STFC in Global South
Eapen Pothan Poothicote Mysore Malabar Trading Pvt. Ltd Click + for project summary
The aim of this project is to address the issues of sustainable livelihood and digital divide through STFC in Global South by developing Virtual Inclusive Farming Clusters. The project aims to create a viable and accessible virtual platform especially for Women and Elderly smallholder farmer who find it difficult to coordinate and collaborate due to physical distance and social norms. Using the existing knowledge of successful self-help groups/ farm cooperatives and STFC’s technology and expertise, this project aims to create virtual inclusive farming clusters to exploit economies of scale and peer network in order to address the challenges faced by otherwise invisible and isolated smallholder famers. We will be developing and pilot testing a Digital Platform prototype that will provide Digital Identity and Virtual Organizational Structure for the Clusters which will enhance the access, scale, and reach of the smallholder farmers Food-side Co-Is: Dr Manish Shukla STFC-side Co-Is: Tom Kirkham (STFC Hartree) |
Developing a data-driven communication platform for improving farmed fish distribution in Kenya
Mary Opiyo Kenya Marine, Fisheries Research Institute Click + for project summary
Post-harvest losses in aquaculture account for an estimated around 40% and contribute to food insecurity in Kenya. Thus, post-harvest losses have been a critical issue in farmed fish supply chains due to its negative effects on sustainability. All supply chain actors, especially the smallholder fish farmers face challenges in terms of capacity management due to the gap between supply and demand of fish in Kenya. There are several relevant problems such as poor fish quality/freshness, fish losses & wastage, and low income and capabilities of smallholder farmers. Potential improvements on capacity management through enhancing the communication between the supply chain actors (i.e. farmers, distributors, consumers) can provide a solution to tackle the challenge. Thus, we aim to propose a data-driven proof of concept platform for improving communication linkages between fish supply chain members in Kenya. The platform will enhance the minimisation of postharvest losses and wastage by better balancing supply and demand. This project aims to provide a proof of concept by covering 2 fish producers and 2 fish retailers Food-side CoIs: Dr Oznur Yurt (Roehampton), Ms. Morine Mukami Ngarari (Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute) Dr. Paul Orina (Kenya Marine, Fisheries Research Institute) Prof. Wantao Yu (University of Roehampton) Dr. Baris Yuce (University of Exeter) STFC-side CoIs: Dr Jens Jensen (STFC) |
IoT enabled cold chain for Kenya and Uganda fish market
Domitila Ndinda Kyule Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute Click + for project summary
Fish is the main animal protein for 30% of Africans. Fishing provides employment and livelihood for 9.6% of the Kenyan population and represents 1.5% GDP in Uganda. Although the fishing industry is growing in East African countries (EAC), the post-harvest and distribution losses are 56% due to the lack of cooling. In response, our project will develop a smart cooling container (SCC) equipped with modular-swappable-rechargeable cooling thermal energy storage (coolth batteries) and adopting IoT sensing technology to monitor the fish supply chain in real-time. The IoT-SCC will be mountable on motorbikes, a popular food transportation tool in EAC. We will investigate connecting the IoT-SCC with the broader food supply chain through the internet, allowing real-time information to integrate smallholder fishers with the entire fish supply chain. IoT-SCC is innovative, inexpensive, minimise fish losses, improve smallholder incomes, and improves food security in the region. It can be adopted for vaccine transportation Food-side CoIs: Dr Ahmed Rezk (Aston University) Luciano Batista (Aston Business School) Wantao Yu (Roehampton University) STFC-side CoIs: Tom Kirkham (STFC Hartree) Bryan Shaughnessy (STFC) |
Evaluating Digital Readiness of UK-India Organic Bilateral Agri-food Trade
Ramanjaneyulu GV Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Hyderabad, India Click + for project summary
In February 2021, the UK and India signed an Enhance Trade Partnership (ETP) and expressed interest in entering into a free trade agreement (FTA), which has led to a new dynamism in trade relationship between India and UK. The ETP, part of a 10- year roadmap of bilateral cooperation, aims to double the annual trade between the UK and India by 2030. The project will explore the potential impact of agri-food trade volumes, commodities traded, prevailing legacy trade practices associated, and digital preparedness on the ability of UK and India to meet the ETP objectives. The project will extract Harmonised System (HS) 6-digit level of disaggregation agri-food products data from the UN-COMTRADE database to model international trade or factor flows that are (at least) double-indexed, involving India and the UK and pool such demand equations across cross-sectional units and time to build a panel data structure of the data. This project will evaluate the dimensions of digital agrifood trade potential between the UK and India along with the digital readiness within both the countries, and create a design for appropriate digital strategies to enhance such potential. Food-Side Co-Is: Dr Sidheswar Panda (IIT Indore, India,) Mr Rakesh Nayak (LeanSig Ltd). Dr Raymond Obayi (University of Manchester) STFC-Side Co-Is: Dr Jens Jensen (STFC) Dr Marion Samler (DAFNI) |
Genome-guided detection of non-O157 STEC
Prof Nicola Holden Scotlands Rural College (SRUC Click + for project summary
Shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) are a priority foodborne (FB) bacterial pathogen that cause serious clinical disease, transmitted by a range of foodstuffs. The most common STEC is serogroup O157. However, there are multiple serogroups that have been increasing in prevalence since 2000. Non-O157 STEC now accounts for ~ 30 % of all STEC in Scotland (FSS report, 2020), with similar numbers reported across the EU (Valilis, 2018). They have diverse genomes and variable virulence gene carriage compared to STEC O157, and some are non-pathogenic making associations with clinical disease outcome challenging. This also complicates regulatory control of food-business operators by food standards authorities. Therefore, there is a pressing need for accurate and informative identification. Here, we will define the requirements for computational approaches that distinguish clinical pathotypes of nonO157 STEC, and the steps required for applications to be used in detection and surveillance Food-side Co-Is: Tim Dallman (Public Health England, Roslin Institute) STFC-side Co-Is: Martyn Winn (STFC Scientific Computing Dept) |
SeasonalDRIFT: DRought Impact Forecasting under uncerTainty
Dr Vicky Boult University of Reading Click + for project summary
Droughts threaten food security across Africa and are expected to intensify under future climate change. Impact-based forecasting (IbF) aims to build the resilience of vulnerable communities to drought and prevent food insecurity. However, large uncertainties in seasonal weather predictions and associated impacts can limit the effectiveness of IbF. Better understanding how sources of uncertainty combine and propagate through IbF systems will enable decision makers to implement the most appropriate interventions to prevent food insecurity whilst minimising the risk of acting in vain. SeasonalDRIFT will make use of outputs and methodologies established under existing STFC projects to pilot a new impact-based forecast for drought in Kitui County, Kenya, specifically predicting maize yield and its associated uncertainty. Yield forecasts will support decision-making in anticipation of drought and uncertainty information will guide future efforts to minimise uncertainty in IbF. Food-side Co-Is: Dr Pedram Rowhani (University of Sussex) Dr Edward Pope (UK Met Office) STFC-side CoIs: Dr Pete Hurley, University of Sussex |
Circular urban vertical farming. Data, models and optimisation of waste flows
Prof Peter Ball University of York Click + for project summary
This project will model circular urban vertical farms for growing nutrient dense fruits and vegetables locally. To develop the model, we will be leveraging the data science capability of STFC-DAFNI to source and harmonise data, then create models of the waste flows in urban areas and optimise those flows to minimise carbon impact. In creating these models, we will use real data from two vertical farms and data from two companies producing valuable materials. The circularity of the vertical farm will be focused on 1. Reducing the heating demand of vertical farms by producing insulators from local brewery spent grain and 2. Feeding the vertical farm using recovered nutrients from local food waste. Overall, we will develop the science of modelling these local food systems, create a tool to model local fruit and vegetable production and provide policy makers with insight to foster local farm production. Food-side Co-Is: Denise Elliott (NIAB(, Prof. Nicola Holden, (SRUC) Dr Ifeyinwa Kanu (IntelliDigest Ltd), Dr Xiaobin Zhao (Wasware Ltd), Dr Ehsan Badakhshan (University of York) STFC-side CoIs: Dr Jens Jensen (STFC) |
Non-disruptive in situ root imaging to investigate the role of soil microbes in cowpea drought stress-adaptive responses
Dr Steve Chivasa Durham University Click + for project summary
The established importance of gut microbes in human health demonstrates the benefits a host organism derives from its resident microbial community. A similar relationship is suspected to exist between the soil microbiome and plants, given their long co-evolutionary history at the soil-root interface. Our recent results confirmed such a relationship by demonstrating that adaptive responses of cowpea plants to drought stress are controlled by soil microbes. Our hypothesis is that soil microbes control cowpea drought responses via regulating root architecture. In this project, we will use non-disruptive neutron beam imaging to visualize microbial influence on root “phenotype” during drought stress. Project outcomes have potential impact on agricultural crop value chains in a hotter and drier climate. Food-side CoIs: Dr Lynsay Blake (Durham University) Dr Kate Dobson (University of Strathclyde) STFC-side CoIs : Dr. Oxana Magdysyuk (STFC), Dr. Fernando Alvarez-Borges (STFC) |
Increasing the Nutrient-Use Efficiency and Crop Productivity of Hydroponics using SMART Sensors and 3D-Multispectral Crop Imaging
Dr Steve Grundy Nottingham Trent University Click + for project summary
Traditionally, hydroponic growers manage the nutrient concentration of their hydroponic solutions using electrical conductivity (EC), with the EC of the solution indicating the sum of all ions within the solution, which lacks accuracy of individual nutrient and real-time control . The development of ion-selective electrodes (ISE) which are able to measure macro-elemental availability solution (including N,P,K, Ca, Mg, S, Cl) in hydroponic nutrient solution in real-time, allows for precision management of individual elements throughout a crop growth cycle. Combining ISEs with SMART environmental sensory data includes (Temperature, humidity, light intensity) and highthroughput multi-spectral 3D scanning technology (Phenospex PlantEye) to phenotype crop performance, this project aims to study the effect of macro-element availability on crop growth to develop precision management strategies, allowing for the optimization of hydroponic nutrient management under fluctuating environmental conditions to reduce chemical input and increase crop yield, quality and nutritional value. Food-side Co-Is: Professor Chungui Lu, (Nottingham Trent University), Professor Wantao Yu, (University of Roehampton), Dr David Gray (University of Nottingham) STFC-side Co-Is: Dr Tom Kirkham (STFC Hartree Centre) |
Identify high yield protein extraction from seaweed via understanding structure-function relationship of cell wall
Dr Parag Acharya University of Greenwich Click + for project summary
The independent UK Committee on Climate Change has stressed the need for a sustainable diet shift to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. As seaweed cultivation does not compete with food crops for land and natural resources, the adoption of seaweed proteins should help enabling a sustainable diet shift. However, the major barrier is poor protein extractability due to cell wall structure of seaweed which incurs high cost in use. This project will deliver initial leads for eco-innovative solutions to improve extractability and sensory quality of protein from the UK-sourced seaweed. The complimentary study plan to develop structural insights of seaweed cell wall and protein location will help building a preliminary understanding of how the cell wall structure dictates the efficacy of a particular protein extraction method. This outcome will lay the foundation for more in-depth studies via larger grants from the UKRI and/or Horizon Europe. Food-side CoIs: Dr Yixing Sui (University of Greenwich), Prof Patricia Harvey (University of Greenwich), Dr Birthe Nielsen (University of Greenwich), Dr Wayne Martindale (University of Lincoln) STFC-side CoIs: Dr Sarah Rogers (STFC) |
Understanding the role of additives in chocolate manufacture: linking molecular interactions to bulk rheology
Prof Wilson Poon University of Edinburgh Click + for project summary
A recent paradigm shift in the understanding of dense suspensions has identified interparticle friction as a key factor in modifying bulk rheological properties. This new understanding gives insight into the common industry practice of adding various molecular ‘rheology modifiers’ to different products, e.g., addition of lecithin to chocolate. Despite this development, there is limited mechanistic understanding of how these additives modify particle-particle interactions at a molecular level, and how such modification translates to the bulk rheological properties at length scales many orders of magnitude larger. In this project we will probe the link between molecular interactions and bulk rheology using a combination of molecular dynamics simulations, discrete element modelling and bulk rheological experiments. The focus will be on how lecithin molecules interact with sucrose surfaces in an oil environment and give broader insight into how functional additives can be used to modify process and mouth-feel properties of such food products. Food-side CoIs: Dr Daniel Hodgson (Edinburgh Complex Fluids Partnership - University of Edinburgh), Dr Chris Ness (University of Edinburgh) STFC-side CoIs: Richard Anderson STFC Hartree), Tseden Taddese (STFC Hartree), Patrick Warren (STFC Hartree) |
Space technology applications for portable cold food storage in India
Dr Bryan Shaughnessy STFC Click + for project summary
The FAO estimate that around a third of the food produced globally is lost or wasted (https://bit.ly/35Ofuj7). This is both staggering and shocking! Around 90% of food wastage in developing countries occurs in the supply chain, rather than by the consumer (https://bit.ly/3gQEPz3). These are countries where cooling and refrigerated infrastructure is less likely to be employed effectively. Therefore, this focus of this study is cost effective and efficient portable cold storage for foods. An efficient ‘cold chain’ supply infrastructure is part of the solution. These solutions could be used throughout the supply chain to reduce wastage. The present study will focus on fruits and vegetable supply in Southern India. Specifically we will consider how the technologies and rigorous design approaches used for thermal control of scientific space instruments can be applied to develop better cold storage. Food-side CoIs: Sarang Vaidya (go4fresh.com) STFC-side CoIs: Dr Bryan Shaughnessy (STFC) |
Developing a Methodology for an Integrated Multi-attribute Sustainability Index: A Case of the UK Food System
Dr Raymond Obayi University of Manchester Click + for project summary
Despite numerous voluntary standards and eco-labels for food sustainability reporting, UK consumers’ and food chain stakeholders are unable to make informed assessments of the sustainability of food production systems and dietary choices against multiple indicators. A strategic priority of Defra, AHDB, and FSA as outlined in the Agriculture Act 2020 is the development of a comprehensive sustainability index for ranking sustainable food production and consumption in the UK against multiple criteria. One of the government Sustainable Agriculture Transition Plan for 2021-2024 is to co-develop a scalable weighting methodology for selecting, ranking and visualising alternative sustainability indicators to support sustainable food choices and other food policy initiatives like the Sustainable Farming Incentive Scheme and a mandatory food sustainability labelling scheme for the UK. In this project, we combine multi-attribute utility theory, citizen science and advanced data analytics and visualisation capabilities of the STFC to develop a methodology and accompanying dataset, as a decision support demonstrator for the selection, ranking and comparison of food sustainability indicators by stakeholders and a scalable Sustainability Index for food systems. Food-side Co-Is: Dr Caitlin Douglas (Kings College London), Dr Stacia Stetkiewicz (Nottingham University), Ee Von Goh, Dr Ximena Schmidt (Brunel University London), Rajneesh Dwevedi STFC-side Co-Is: Dr Martine J Barons (University of Warwick), Jens Jensen (STFC) |
Monitoring tropical pollinators in conventional and organic fruit orchards in central Thailand
Dr Alyssa Stewart Mahidol University Click + for project summary
Pollinators are vital to the reproduction of most flowering plants, including important agricultural crops. Yet pollinator populations are declining worldwide, and one of the main causes is widespread use of pesticides. Although the effect of pesticides on European pollinator species has been well studied, there is scarcity of information on tropical pollinators. Currently, there is a global drive for organic farming as an alternative to the conventional use of agrochemicals and many small-scale producers in Thailand are switching to organic farming. This project aims to employ computer vision to automatically monitor the activity of pollinator species in conventional and organic fruit orchards in central Thailand, to assess the effect of the two farming approaches on native pollinator diversity and abundance. The results of this project will provide valuable insights on the effect of pesticides on tropical pollinators and can be used to guide nation-wide and international conservation efforts. Food-side CoIs: Dr Maria Anastasiadi (Cranfield University), Blue Dusk Ltd STFC-side CoIs: Dr Jens Jensen (STFC) |
Multi-sensor Agricultural Robot for Soils (MARS)
Dr Marcelo Valadares Galdos University of Leeds Click + for project summary
Climate change and soil degradation are twin threats to food security. Improving soil health can address both problems, but the spatial and temporal variability of soil physical, chemical and biological properties poses a challenge. With no single sensor capable of effectively monitoring all relevant parameters, new multi-modal sensing methods are urgently needed to make informed crop management decisions. In this project, we will investigate the use of lower cost proximal gamma ray sensing to build spatial maps of key soil properties, using machine learning with other soil covariates. We will work to understand whether gamma ray could be combined with multi-modal sensing methodologies including ultrasound and other sensors mounted on an autonomous vehicle to reduce systematics and build a more detailed picture of soil health. We will test this multisensor framework on a field in a working farm, contributing to a more climate-smart agriculture. Food-side CoIs: Megan Povey (University of Leeds), Shane Xie (University of Leeds), Syed Zaidi (University of Leeds), Jie Xu (University of Leeds) STFC-side CoIs: Patrick Stowell (University of Durham) |
Identification and monitoring of fish cage aquaculture with remote sensing and machine learning
Safina Musa Kenya Marine & Fisheries Research Institute Click + for project summary
Unregulated mushrooming of fish cages in Lake Victoria as an alternative source of fish poses a threat to lake ecosystem health. Sustainable development of the sector calls for robust, evidence based, decision on site suitability. Objective of the proposed study is to Identify and monitor cage aquaculture with remote sensing and machine learning. The method will use remote sensing of Lake Victoria by collecting and processing multi band Sentinel2 and Planet high resolution imagery, both temporal and spatial. Time series modelling and change detections techniques, often used in STFC research, will be used to model remote sensing data at locations of fish cages. We will use our learnt thresholds to identify new sites for which fish cages could be deployed. Results of this study will have broader applicability to the whole of Lake Victoria and other African Great Lakes, where fish cage culture already occurs or may occur in future. Food-side Co-Is: Rob Thomas, Dr Devendra Saroj (Surrey), Ken Mubea, Rodney Forster STFC-side Co-Is: Dr Pete Hurley (Sussex) |
Modelling, optimizing, and identifying vacant urban spaces for urban food production
Dr Dan Evans Cranfield University Click + for project summary
Current projections suggesting that the global urban population will rise to five billion by 2030 presents a growing dilemma: urban land cover expansion will encroach on the soils required to meet increasing food demands. Making more efficient use of urban spaces for agriculture is therefore critical. To date, urban agriculture has been largely adopted in bespoke food growing sites (e.g., allotments and community gardens). In order to meet rising food demands without intensifying agricultural practices at these sites, we now need to consider other under-utilized, or vacant urban spaces. However, we have virtually no knowledge about the potential of different vacant urban spaces for food production. Building on existing STFC-developed crop growth models, and assembling soils, climate, and socio-economic datasets, this project will develop a decision-making platform to identify the most effective vacant urban spaces for sustainable, resilient, and nutritious food growing. Food-side Co-Is: Spencer Leung, (GO Organics Peace International) Mehroosh Tak (Royal Veterinary College, University of London), Pareena Prayukvong (Wastegetable, Bangkok) STFC-side Co-Is: Peter Hurley (University of Sussex) |
2020 Awarded Scoping Projects
IoT Enabled Smart Apiary for Remote Auditing and Healthy Production
Click + for project summary
PI - Paulette Elliott (Huduma Limited) Insect pollinators are an essential part of Earth’s ecosystems. Recent, catastrophic reductions in pollinator abundance have raised concerns across the world, resulting in national government pollinator strategies. Honey bees are largely managed in apiaries and, as such, are effectively livestock. Human monitoring is necessary to ensure the health and abundance of colonies, including ensuring adequate nourishment, treatment for disease and parasites and no-destructive harvesting of honey. This management can be costly in terms of time, with physical inspection still the predominant approach. This project seeks to harness the power of modern technology (i.e. Internet of things, data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning, earth observation remote sensing, satellite navigation and communication, 4G and 5G) to allow beekeepers, whether commercial or hobbyist, to monitor their colonies remotely. This will allow action to be taken in a timely way and avoid disturbing the insect communities unnecessarily. Food-side Co-Is: Samantha Green, Applied Group (Optifarm), UK; Dr Martine J Barons, University of Warwick / Statistics STFC-side Co-Is: Geraint (Taff) Morgan, The Open university / School of Physical Sciences; Jens Jensen, UKRI-STFC / Scientific Computing; Tom Kirkham, STFC Hartree / Hartree |
Food Fraud Indicators: Winning the War against Food Fraud with STFC Data
Click + for project summary
PI - Dr Edward Smart (University of Portsmouth) Food fraud costs the UK food economy £11 billion a year but this is only the tip of the iceberg as fraud is massively underreported. By preventing fraud in the food supply chain, it is possible to reduce these estimated costs. In fact, by tackling fraud, this could boost the UK food industry profits by £4.5 billion. However, building a safe and resilient global food system requires the ability to identify the metrics or indicators of fraud. This project brings together STFC data science experts, a commercial partner (Fera Science) and academics to explore the applications of data analytics in food fraud and its indicators. The ability to link such indicators to fraudulent activities, in particular during shock events, will benefit border controls and inspections – by reducing delays at the UK border, helping to strategise resources and minimising the flow of unsafe and fraudulent food products nationally. Food-side CoIs: Jan Mei Soon (UCLan) Femke van den Berg (Fera Science Limited) Lisa Jack (University of Portsmouth) Manoj Dora (Brunel University) STFC-side CoIs: Hugh Dickinson (OU) Brian Matthews (STFC) |
Food Shock 2020: Intelligent data analytics to understand food consumer practice during a food system shock – the case of COVID-19
Click + for project summary
PI - Dr Laura Wilkinson (Swansea University) Our food system has experienced a ‘shock’ as a result of COVID-19. This has exposed a number of vulnerabilities and the crucial role of consumer behaviour in system-resilience (Benton, 2020). In order to protect the food system in the event of a future ‘shock’, it is vital that we learn from COVID-19 and increase our understanding of consumer practice under circumstances of uncertainty. We will capitalize on the abundance of online discussions of all aspects of consumer practice around food (e.g., Singh, Shukla & Mishra, 2018). We will evaluate the value of using intelligent data analytics across 5 platforms (e.g., Twitter, deliveroo reviews). Included in our approach is a feasibility assessment of using citizen science to categorise data (comments/ photos) and apply deep learning to automate this process. In so doing, a preliminary model of the common drivers of consumer behaviour under uncertainty in the food system will be developed. Food-side CoIs: Akshit Singh, University of Liverpool, UK; Luca Panzone, Newcastle University, UK; Monique Raats, University of Surrey, UK STFC-side CoIs: Jens Jensen, STFC, UK Hugh Dickinson, Open University, UK Eric Atwell, Leeds University, UK |
Novel process for extracting nutrient in food waste for sustainable and resilient urban farming and food packaging
Dr Ifeyinwa Rita Kanu IntelliDigest Ltd Click + for project summary
Vegetables, fruit, eggs and meat produced using organic and sustainable techniques are healthier, due to the lack of pesticides and other chemicals. It is also safer for farmers with far less impact on environment. Globally, a third of food grown for human consumption is wasted. Leveraging advances in molecular biology-enzyme evolution, we are developing an enzymatic hydrolysis process to convert macerated inedible food waste into nutrients/sustainable chemicals that could be used for advanced farming as well as producing circular food packaging. However, food waste volume and composition are highly variable across households, hospitality and food service sector organisations, while also varying regionally and seasonally. Our technical and commercial challenge is to convert these highly variable input into circular chemicals with consistent quality and yield, meeting the needs of circular farmers and packaging manufacturers. PI – Dr Ifeyinwa Rita Kanu Food Side Co-Investigators - Dr Devendra Saroj, Dr Elisa Lopez-Capel, Dr Harry Langford, Dr Lydia MJ Smith, Jen Thomas, Dr Ruben Sakrabani STFC Side Co-Investigators - Jens Jensen, Dave Clarke, Sarah Rogers, Claire Pizzey |
Predicting corn yield with UAV-based remote sensing
Vivatvong Vichit-Vadakan SkyVIV Click + for project summary
In 2018/2019, over 1 trillion metric tons of corn were produced globally, making it the most abundant grain in the agriculture industry. This project will afford us the ability to accurately predict corn yield from UAV-based remote sensing. Over a 6-month period, we will conduct a detailed UAV-based remote sensing campaign of sweetcorn fields in northern Thailand, with high temporal resolution. Utilizing off-the-shelf cameras, we will create a large multi-dimensional data set (foliage volume, canopy height, foliage color, chlorophyll content, etc.), to which we will apply machine learning analysis techniques to determine an expression which accurately predicts corn yield. This expression will be ‘ground-truthed’ against the actual corn produced by the observed fields (measured at harvest time). To increase the impact of this body of research, we will put all data produced by these surveys in an online archive to create a legacy dataset open to the global research community. STFC Co-I - Dr. Anthony M. Brown, Durham University, |
Feasibility studies on using neutron and Raman spectroscopy to evaluate physical and chemical characteristics of novel green fertilisers
Dr Ruben Sakrabani Cranfield University Click + for project summary
Carbon capture technology deployed by trapping carbon dioxide into organic waste material and converting it into a fertiliser provides an excellent opportunity to tackle climate change and soil fertility. In this project, pelletised fertilisers will be produced using such technology. Fertilisers produced using organic waste material will vary widely due to feedstock characteristics. Hence, it is important to know how variable these fertilisers are, as an equivalent chemical fertiliser is more consistent due to its stoichiometry. In this project we will use neutron computed tomography to assess the physical characterisation such as porosity and Raman spectroscopy to determine the arrangements of chemical bonds present within a pelletised fertiliser. The outcome of this feasibility study will inform variability in physical and chemical characteristics of pelletised fertiliser. Ultimately the information gathered will be used to develop an algorithm to inform industry on how to minimise variations between batches. STFC-side CoIs: Dr Genoveva Burca Dr Sara Mosca Dr Hugh Dickinson Dr Jens Jensen |
Building Smart urban Farming data systems: A Case study
Lilik Sutiarso Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Indonesia Click + for project summary
This project aims to assess the feasibility of a digital platform to manage urban farming at a city level and optimize the benefits of such activity. The platform will be developed in DAFNI, a STFC Data & Analytics Facility that already hosts a similar system from several British cities but hasn’t been used to host information on urban farming and other green spaces in cities. The platform will have environmental, geographical, governance, marketing, production, and socio-economic data. Once this information system is operational, agents can use it to identify vulnerabilities and opportunities to build resilience and food security of cities. Furthermore, its modular structure will enable future integration of other streams of information, namely data from remote sensors collecting environmental information (such as impact of farms on pollution and carbon capture) enabling all agents involved in the urban farming ecosystem to make better policies and strategies and monitor their impact. |
Food Access: Distributed ledger technology (DLT) integration for optimising food supply chain communications and transport
Abiye Tob-Ogu Sheffield University Management School Click + for project summary
Food access relates to the ability to acquire sufficient nutrients for consumption. Where people cannot do this, they suffer from malnutrition, disease and death. SubSaharan Africa is noted as heavily challenged in this area with Nigeria in particular showing almost 32% of children suffering in this case. The literature links accessibility challenges to the speed of transport, with midstream delays accounting for a significant part of the problem. Whilst hydra-headed, transportation problems stem from communication between the farmers, transporters and buyers. This is due to the absence of coordinated communication structures that allow transparency and planning with respect to food transport communications. This project seeks to explore options for addressing this food transport communications challenge by creating a digital distributed ledger (DLT) archetype to promote accessibility; allowing farmers upload transport requirements and transporters to collate and allocate resources for distribution in advance. This simple implementation can significantly reduce wastage due to transport delays, thereby improving the opportunity for food access downstream. Additionally, the predictability of transport demand can help to reduce pricing volatility and increase affordability value for consumers. Food-side CoIs: Dr. Seyed M. Ebrahimi (University of Sheffield; Dr. James Hanotu (Formava Limited) STFC-side CoIs : Dr. Tom Kirkham |
Food loss reduction under uncertain agricultural policy frameworks
Dr Martine Barons University of Warwick Click + for project summary
Human populations are growing and on our finite planet, pressure on agricultural land is greater than ever and agricultural inputs protect crops and reduce waste. Under the EU Green Deal, targets have been set for growers to reduce pesticide use by 50% by 2030. There is no roadmap of how this might be achieved. Support for decision making under uncertainty is required; help to make evidence-informed decisions, transparent and explainable so growers have confidence in it. Probabilistic graphical models (PGMs) are a natural choice because they can be represented pictorially. Lettuce provides a good case study because it has a short growing season so many crops are grown and harvested in the same calendar year, so under similar conditions. Lettuce has no secondary market; it is too watery for bio digesters and cannot be frozen, for example. Working with lettuce growers we will design a PGM to help reduce waste. |
A feasibility study of using blockchain technology to detect counterfeit seeds on market
Henry Hunga University of Malawi Click + for project summary
The increasing scale, complexity of food supply networks and current disruptions due to Covid-19 and climate variability can lead to staples such as seeds becoming more vulnerable to fraud. Counterfeit seeds have affected smallholder farmers in Eastern and Southern Africa, including Malawi and weakens the regional food security and exacerbates poverty. This project will bring together local agri-food authorities and seed traders to identify the challenges of certifying seeds and potential areas where counterfeiting take place. This project draws on STFC CFL capabilities especially the use of blockchain technology and DNA sequencing to track and validate genuine seeds on the market in Malawi. The ability to identify counterfeit seeds will improve the safety, sustainability and resilience of our food supply chain. Food-side CoIs: Dr. Jayne Crozier, Trade & Commodities Coordinator UK, CABI, UK, Dr Manoj Dora, Brunel Business School, UK, Dr. Sachin Kumar, University of Plymouth, UK, Dr Jan Mei Soon STFC-side CoIs: Dr. Tom Kirkham (STFC – DL, BID), Dr. Jens Jensen (STFC – RAL, SC) |
Assessing the Feasibility of IoT Precision Data Solution for Vertical Farming
Prof Chungui Lu Nottingham Trent University Click + for project summary
The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted what has been increasingly evident for years - the UK must develop more resilient and robust food production methods that meet food sustainability and productivity. Vertical Farming (VF) has been branded as the future of Food Production due to the environmental benefits and food security benefits. The aim is therefore to assess the feasibility of an all-encompassing automated monitoring and control system that creates precise and timely propriety Big Data, generated against multiple inputs/ ingredients from the VF growing environment. We will utilise existing microgreen data from sensors and plant performance based computing to develop an IoT Precision Data Solution for the Vertical Farming environment. The data will then be utilised by data scientist/VF specialists from STFC Hartree Center to develop an algorithm to calculate optimum growing recipes for nutritionally dense crops and improve resource efficiency with reducing costs for development of an optimum growing system. Food-side CoIs: Wantao Yu, University of Roehampton (UR); Steven Grundy, Nottingham Trent University (NTU) STFC-side CoIs: Dr Tom Kirkham, STFC Hartree Centre |
Developing Price Risk-Protected Warehouse Receipt System in Promoting Resilient Food Supply Chains in Africa
Dr Apurba Shee University of Greenwich Click + for project summary
African agricultural markets are thin and isolated and usually characterized by high variation in commodity prices- a condition that sparks political unrest and triggers disabling policy interventions in output markets (Fafchamps 1992; Minten and Kyle 1999; Burke et al. 2019; Global Panel 2020). Warehouse Receipt Systems (WRS) has been promoted is several countries such as Tanzania and Uganda. However, their development has been stymied by high levels of price volatility which weaken incentives for intra-seasonal stockholding. Price volatility which has become more prominent due to the COVID pandemic has made the food supply chain unstable. To mitigate the downside price risk, we propose to develop an innovative financial instrument which embeds price-indemnified insurance with warehouse receipts. The product ensures that, for commodities stored under WRS, if market prices fall below a historical average for a specific month, the embedded insurance will be triggered, thereby protecting farmers against downside price risk. Food-side CoIs: Dr Manoj Dora, Brunel University London; Dr Gideon Onumah, University of Greenwich, Calum G. Turvey, Cornell University STFC-side CoIs: Dr Tom Kirkham, STFC Hartree Centre |
Neutron Soil Moisture Probes for Regenerative Agriculture
Prof Lee Thompson University of Sheffield Click + for project summary
Regenerative farming practices that support natural flood management can build resilience in water systems to extreme weather events. One difficulty faced by farmers seeking to adopt these practices is it is not always clear what major problems affect their site and the best way to solve them. This project will investigate whether novel cosmic ray soil moisture probes are capable of remotely sensing the ability of regenerative farming practices to reduce soil compaction. We will construct two low-cost cosmic ray monitoring systems before installing them in agricultural plots with differing cultivation techniques (ploughing vs direct drill). Long term monitoring data will be used to understand how each sites volumetric water content changes with rainfall. These responses will be used to estimate the degree of water infiltration at each site to demonstrate the viability of using cosmic ray probes to remotely monitor the effects of soil compaction. |
Learning from each other to cope with crisis: Utilising insights from COVID-19 on health and sustainability
Dr Stacia Stetkiewicz Lancaster University Click + for project summary
COVID-19 has impacted food behaviours in both positive and negative ways. Given the uncertainties around potential future UK food system shocks such as Brexit and a second wave of COVID-19, it is crucial to understand the drivers and mitigating factors of relevance to these food behaviour changes. This is of particular importance to prevent worsening health inequalities and increases in non-communicable diseases. This project will draw on the team’s expertise to: (1) identify who has made positive or negative dietary changes due to COVID-19 through an online survey, (2) link these changes with participant demographic information, stress responses and emotional eating, and postcode data, (3) identify protective factors which may mitigate against the negative impacts of COVID-19 using geolocation data of relevance, such as green space provision, and (4) work with consumers to share their successful coping strategies and co-create interventions to combat negative effects in future crisis situations. Food-side CoIs: Beth Armstrong, Sheffield University, UK; Gemma Bridge, Leeds Beckett University, UK; Julia Vogt, Reading University, UK; Ximena Schmidt, Brunel University STFC-side CoIs: Tom Kirkham, Hartree Centre |
Identification of umami taste markers in microalgae-based novel food ingredient
Dr Yixing Sui University of Greenwich Click + for project summary
This scoping project aims to enhance ‘umami’ flavour in food ingredients developed from microalgal biomass, and to develop a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry quantification technique using STFC’s support to screen for taste markers that contribute to ‘umami’ flavour. The University of Greenwich and The Open University will integrate their expertise in microalgal biotechnology and analytical development, respectively, to contribute to bringing food ingredients from novel sources into the market and to help develop a positive perception amongst consumers for algae products. Specific cultivation conditions and sample hydrolysis will be tested on microalgal extracts to enhance the concentration of available umami substances such as glutamate. These will be quantified by optimized analytical methods. The scoping project initiates the groundwork on taste enhancers in microalgae to attract more dedicated research opportunities in the future. Food-side CoIs: Patricia Harvey (University of Greenwich); Parag Acharya (Natural Resource Institute, University of Greenwich); Yanan Xu (University of Greenwich) STFC-side CoIs: Geraint Morgan (The Open University) |
Using STFC Technology to Create a Novel Digital Platform to Integrate Fish Farmers and Customers in Ghana
Dr Fred A. Yamoah Birkbeck - University of London Click + for project summary
Fish farming plays a key role as a major source of nutrition and livelihood for small scale fish farmers in Ghana. However, the sector’s supply chain has been hugely disrupted by Covid-19 pandemic. This has resulted in disconnections and instabilities between the aquaculture supply chain and fish food environment, where consumers can access fish products, consequently compromising transparency along the chain. Immediate effects include loss of income, fish losses and limited consumer access to fish. Thereby, this project seeks to use STFC technology to create a novel digital platform that will connect fish farmers and customers to address supply, market and transparency challenges facing the aquaculture food system Ghana to harness and sustain fish supply chains in Africa. |
Preservation and Visualization of African Indigenous Knowledge for Resilient Food Systems
Dr Steven Sam Brunel University London Click + for project summary
African Indigenous Knowledge (AIK) is innovative and unique among local and subsistent smallholder farmers for sustainable food production and enhancing biodiversity and natural resources in many poor, rural societies. Yet, the documentation and dissemination of AIK remain a big challenge confronting librarians and other information professionals in Africa, with the risk of losing AIK. This project will draw on STFC’s citizen science and data science expertise, multiple data sources from local participants in Sierra Leone and proven Zooniverse methodology to analyse, identify and pilot documentation of the first interactive, digital, open AIK infrastructure (an integrated web and mobile platform) along with standards for ethically collecting, preserving and sharing the AIK and traditional practices. The infrastructure will be useful for local populations, research and policy-makers, and it could lead to transformative innovation in the food system, creating a fundamental shift in the way the UK supports sustainable, modern food production efforts in Africa. Food-side CoIs: Dr Ximena Schmidt (XS) STFC-side CoIs: Dr Jens Jensen (JJ) and Hugh Dickinson (HD) |
Hyperspectral Infrared Imaging for Precision Soil Moisture Mapping
Dr Patrick Stowell University of Durham Click + for project summary
Water scarcity is a significant challenge for the world’s population. With an ever increasing likelihood of extreme droughts, technologies to promote sustainable irrigation and improve resilience to water shortage are needed. Detailed mapping of soil moisture in arid regions is a major problem as existing techniques have high associated costs per hectare, or low resolution. We will investigate the advantages of new hyperspectral cameras to map surface soil moisture. Utilising precision optics originally developed for satellites, these high resolution cameras are extremely portable and are sensitive to water absorption lines in the infrared spectrum. By mounting one to a drone we will look at mapping large areas of agricultural land with a single camera, significantly reducing associated cost per hectare. The data will be used to better understand how soil moisture varies across a site to optimise placement of ground based sensors, and understand the uncertainties associated with their data. |
Virtual marketplace for urban micro enterprises & small farmers growing fresh fruits & vegetables in India
Sarang Vaidya Go4fresh - Mumbai Click + for project summary
The nationwide lockdown in India since March due to Covid19 has adversely affected the on-site market dynamics for fresh produce supply chains resulting in higher farm-side wastage, uncertainty & price volatility. The marginal communities (micro enterprises and small farmers) have been the hardest hit due to the halting of longstanding operations in trade hubs and bazars that facilitate buyer-seller connections and transactions. This project aims to provide alternate market access for marginal communities in & around Mumbai by developing virtual marketplace to circumvent potential market access challenges of similar future shocks. The project would identify, map and replicate the key interactions and data requirements of on-site market interactions onto a virtual space to enable faster adoption and smooth buyer-seller virtual interactions. It would utilise STFC capabilities in data digitisation, data architecture & system design to develop a virtual market prototype that is adaptable to mobile applications and connected devices. |
2019 Awarded Scoping Projects
A tool to predict optimum harvest maturity of apples
PI - Deborah Rees (National Resources Institute, University of Greenwich) Click + for project summary
The UK grown apple market is worth more than £220M per annum. Quality is critically dependent on timing the harvest so that the fruit is at optimum maturity, especially where fruit are stored long-term, as growers seek to extend their marketing season. The current system for determining harvest time depends mainly on following the breakdown of starch to sugars, by sampling fruit from across an orchard and using iodine staining to indicate presence or absence of starch within areas of the fruit tissue. This method is time consuming and also gives very little advanced warning of fruit maturation. This project seeks to develop a tool using hyperspectral imaging that will detect the breakdown of starch into sugars at an earlier stage, thereby providing growers with the potential to manage their crop harvest more efficiently and have fruit of better quality for long-term storage. Food Side Co-Investigators - Lori Fisher (NRI, University of Greenwich), Richard Colgan (NRI, University of Greenwich) STFC Side Co-Investigators - Hugh Mortimer (STFC RAL Space) |
The Role of Biochar in Climate-Smart Agriculture
PI – Manoj Menon (University of Sheffield) Click + for project summary
Soils are essential for food production, and they also provide several valuable ecological functions including regulation of global climate through the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Both soil organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) are essential for improving soil quality, health and crop yields and they also contribute significantly to the global GHG (CO2, nitrous oxide (N2O) & methane (CH4)) emissions. Therefore, building climate-smart agricultural soils is crucial for addressing global food security and climate change. One of such strategies is the addition of biochar in soils which is known to increase C, N and other nutrients stocks leading to better crop yields. To maximise the benefits of biochar, we will need an integrated and mechanistic understanding of the impacts of biochar on soil C and N transformations including their losses as GHGs which will be addressed in this project through a newly developed collaboration between universities, STFC facilities and an industry partner (Carbon Gold UK). Food Side Co-Investigators - Sylvia Toet (University of York), Masoud Babaei (University of Manchester), Joseph Hufton (University of Sheffield), James MacPhail (Carbon Gold, UK) STFC Side Co-Investigators - Genoveva Burca (STFC ISIS Neutron & Muon Source) Shashidhara Marathe (STFC ISIS Neutron & Muon Source), Oxana Magdysyuk (STFC ISIS Neutron & Muon Source),Claire Pizzey (Diamond Light Source) |
Climatic influences on strawberry disease epidemics
PI - Helen Cockerton - NIAB EMR Click + for project summary
Powdery mildew (Podosphaera aphanis) is rated the most important aerial disease for UK strawberry growers, with an untreated epidemic leading to severe yield loss and unmarketable fruit. Climate change is predicted to influence the frequency and prevalence of disease incidence. We propose to survey and analyse pesticide application alongside yield data collected from strawberry growers based across the UK. Data collection will allow us to investigate the link between pesticide application and climatic change over the last decade. This will be achieved through analysing the association between the application of contact fungicides, meteorological data and North Atlantic circulation patterns. The project will combine advanced statistical analysis, machine learning algorithms and existing data to predict the impact of climate change on powdery mildew disease incidence and total marketable strawberry yield. Ultimately, climate change can be used to contextualize and improve existing finer scale weather based disease prediction models. Food Side Co-Investigators - Christopher Nankervis - Weather Logistics STFC Side Co-Investigators - Peter Allan - STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory |
Earlier detection of campylobacter on chicken farms
PI - Geraint Morgan (The Open University) Click + for project summary
Campylobacter is the major cause of food borne illnesses in the UK, causing sickness in over 300,000 people each year. Around 15,000 people are admitted to hospital and ~80 people die every year. Poultry is the major source in the food chain, responsible for ~70% of cases. The 2010-15 UK Research and Innovation Strategy for Campylobacter - in the Food Chain, identified the need for the development of a rapid, on-farm test. So far, no such solution exists; however, approaches such as measuring metabolites or excretion profiles with e-noses have shown potential. The Applied Group and Harper Adams University have separately investigated this route, with mixed results. It is our hypothesis that by applying lessons learnt from these studies and from the development of Ptolemy (a miniature GC-MS that successfully sniffed the chemical composition of a comet as part of ESA’s Rosetta Mission), a rapid, on-farm test could now become a reality. Food Side Co-Investigators - Gemma Bray (Applied Group), Ashley Ball (Applied Group), David Speller (Applied Group) Lynn McIntyre (Harper Adams University) STFC Side Co-Investigators - Simona Nicoara (The Open University), Sonia Garcia-Alcega (The Open University) |
Exploring applications of STFC sensor technologies and data analytics for enhancing sustainable production and food safety in the Indonesian shrimp aquaculture industry
PI - Miying Yang (University of Exeter) Click + for project summary
According to the FAO 2018, Indonesia is the second largest shrimp producer in the world. However, Indonesian Directorate General of Aquaculture reports that around 40% of shrimps in Indonesia die or are wasted during the cultivation, production and logistics due to the changing water quality, diseases and cannibalism among shrimps. This might cause various food safety issues due to the bacteria in shrimps and the use of banned antibiotics. This project will explore the applications of different STFC sensor technologies and data analytics to address such challenges in productivity and food safety in Indonesian shrimp aquaculture industry. In particular, the project will develop a feasibility study on applying non-invasive STFC sensor technologies and RAL space geospatial data analytics to monitor, predict the real-time environment change of shrimp cultivation and production in Indonesian shrimp farming firms. Such applications can prevent the potential shrimp disease and death, improve food safety, maximise the shrimp quality and productivity, and reduce waste. Food Side Co-Investigators - Martino Luis (University of Exeter), Rakesh Nayak (University of Hull) STFC Side Co-Investigators – Tom Kirkham (STFC Hartree Centre) |
Exploring application of STFC sensing technology to automate food quality management and enhance food manufacturing efficiency within the food industry - A case study of Mondelēz International
PI - Rakesh Nayak (University of Hull) Click + for project summary
Our project aims at combining the technological capabilities and potential know-how of STFC’s sensor technology and data sciences with Mondelēz’s state-of-the-art food manufacturing process to prevent food quality defects through automation. The food industry is looking for new digital and inferential tools to improve product’s quality and maximise production line’s efficiency. Current offline analytical methods could be time-demanding and complex, error-prone, which limits the industry’s potential to achieve maximum operational excellence. Using STFC’s proven expertise in sensing technology, big data analytics, AI and image processing, this project would explore how tailor-made sensors could be installed within Mondelez’s production line to collect real-time data and use big data analytics and image processing to enable real-time process decisions - preventing quality defects and resultant food waste. It also aims to build a technology prototype that can be scalable to other industry sectors for bigger impact on issues such as food quality, waste and sustainability. Food Side Co-Investigators - Rossana Caccamo (Mondelez Int), Diogo Monteiro (University of Newcastle), Wantao Yu (University of Roehampton), Tao Chen (University of Surrey), Raymond Obayi (University of Manchester), Seyed M Ebrahimim (University of Sheffield) STFC Side Co-Investigators - Jens Jensen (STFC Scientific Computing Department), Dr Daniel Gerber (STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory), Tom Kirkham (STFC Hartree Centre) |
Integrating STFC data science, IoT and AI capabilities for standardising and automating food waste (food surplus) data collection in Thailand
PI – Sonal Choudhary (University of Sheffield) Click + for project summary
Our project aims to explore capabilities and potential of STFC data science, IoT devices and AI for recording and monitoring food surplus data in the supply chain so that it can be efficiently and effectively redistributed. Thailand generates 27.06MT of waste per year and 64% of this is food waste. Most of such waste occurs because of insufficient real-time information about availability of surplus food and lack of connectivity between source of surplus food and places of potential utilisation. There is a huge opportunity to minimise food waste by redirecting the food surplus to needy people in Thailand and contribute to achieving SDGs for Thailand towards zero hunger (SDG 2), good health & Well-being (SDG 3) and reduce climate change impacts (SDG 13). Using STFC’s proven expertise in data analytics, AI and IoT sensor technologies, this project would study the infrastructure requirement for real-time food surplus/ waste data collection, develop standards for food waste data collection in Thailand and identify implementation challenges, market and knowledge gap, in Thailand from multi-stakeholders perspective. Food Side Co-Investigators - Christian Reynolds (University of Sheffield), Lenny Koh (Sheffield University Management School), Bob Doherty (The York Management School), Anurag Tewari (Cranfield University), Chris Oestereich Thammasat University), Suntichai Kotcharin (Department of International Business, Logistics and Transport), Pichawadee Kittipanya-ngam (Department of Operations Management) STFC Side Co-Investigators - Jens Jensen (STFC Scientific Computing Department), Robin Pinning (STFC Hartree Centre), Tom Kirkham (STFC, Hartree Centre) |
Microstructural design of snack food products for predictive control of nutritional textural and flavour properties
PI –Elena Simone (University of Leeds) Click + for project summary
The project aims at evaluating and applying synchrotron radiation techniques to understand the link between molecular, nano and microstructure of snack food products and their macroscopic properties such as flavour and texture. Food products are complex materials, whose properties depend on the interactions among ingredients at the nano and micro scales. For example, biscuits are made of flour, butter and sugar but the typical crunchiness and characteristic taste of this snack food is the results of a series of chemical and physical transformations among sucrose, starch, triglycerides and water during the manufacturing process and subsequent storage. Investigating these interactions within actual food products requires the use of non-destructive techniques that enable 3D imaging of multicomponent systems and the chemical identification of each component. Synchrotron neutron and x-ray tomography and diffraction are among the few technologies that have these features, but they have never been used on complex food matrixes Food Side Co-Investigators – Mark Auty (Mondelez Intl), ben Gardner (Exeter University), Steve Euston (Heriot-Watt University) STFC Side Co-Investigators – Jens Jensen (STFC Scientific Computing Department), Claire Pizzey (Diamond Light Source), Sarah Rogers (STFC ISIS Neutron & Muon Source) |
My Digital Twin
PI – Charlotte Mills (University of Reading) Click + for project summary
The chronic nature of non-communicable diseases makes it easy for consumers to overlook their progression. Some of these diseases are preventable by making changes to diet and lifestyle which both reduces disease risk, as well as individual and societal financial burdens (e.g. NHS costs). Behaviour change is challenging; there are internal and external obstacles to any intervention. A potential stronger motivator of behaviour change is the realisation of consequences of current choices on future health. If individuals could see now, the long-term consequences of their choices, they might be keener to make behaviour changes. This project will test whether a digital platform that projects current choice patterns onto likely future health status is feasible and capable of motivating behaviour change. Using big data analytics and complex systems modelling, information about diet and/or lifestyle will predict future heath, presented as a ‘Digital Twin’. Using state-of-the-art imaging, this could be a visual representation of the individual users. Food Side Co-Investigators -Julie Crenn (University of Greenwich), Jason Halford (University of Liverpool), Jo Harrold (University of Liverpool), Kerry Whiteside (Samworth Brothers), Diogo Monteiro (Newcastle University) STFC Side Co-Investigators – David Bogg (STFC Hartree Centre), Tom Kirkham (STFC Hartree Centre) |
Remote sensing led monitoring and forecasting of global banana production
PI – Daniel Bebber (University of Exeter) Click + for project summary
Bananas are a globally important agricultural commodity. However, despite facing similar overarching challenges from climate change, pests and diseases, bananas have not received much research emphasis compared to other crops, such as rice, wheat, etc. Poor quality data on extent of cultivation, its dynamics over time, and productivity of plantations at fine enough spatio-temporal scales, poses a major limitation for such research. The application of remote sensing tools has the potential to fill these data gaps. This project will use satellite data combined with plantation scale production data to map past changes in global banana cultivation area and track plantation productivity at fine temporal scales. Outputs will enable a better understanding of climate and disease impacts on plantation productivity, and the prototyping of a near-term (6-9 months) forecasting model for production volume. Food Side Co-Investigators - Varun Varma (University of Exeter) STFC Side Co-Investigators - Seb Oliver (University of Sussex), Raphael Shirley (University of Sussex) |
Resilience of Livelihoods in a Climate Change Context: Scoping study to identify datasets, models and knowledge frameworks
PI - Lisa Emberson (Stockholm Environment Institute at York, University of York) Click + for project summary
Climate smart agriculture aims to reduce emissions, enhance yields and improve livelihoods. To date, considerable effort has gone into understanding how physical datasets and modelling methods developed by STFC can support estimates of emissions from agricultural systems and associated yields of arable crops. Far less attention has been given to exploring how this physical environment might influence socio-economic conditions and how environmental change ‘plays out’ in the overall context of farmers’ livelihoods. This project will explore this knowledge gap, focusing on data-poor environments in Southern Africa, identifying a wide range of physical and socio-economic datasets and associated modelling methods that will combine to influence farmers’ livelihoods. Specifically, we will look for past trends in correlations between key indicators that describe physical and socio-economic systems to develop a framework to provide a better understanding of how future perturbations of physical systems will influence livelihoods and hence the sustainability of food systems. Food Side Co-Investigators – Eleanor Jew (University of York), Naresh Magan (University of Cranfield), Wayne Martindale (The National Centre for Food Manufacturing), Christian Thierfelder (The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center - CIMMYT) STFC Side Co-Investigators - Althea Wilkinson (Jodrell Bank), Dawn Geatches (STFC Daresbury), Peter Allan (STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory) |
Satellite-based UK Soil Organic Carbon Observatory
PI – Marcelo Valadares Galdos (University of Leeds) Click + for project summary
Fertile soil is being lost at the rate faster than it can recovered, primarily from inadequate agricultural management practices and by climate change. Monitoring soil organic carbon (SOC), a key indicator of soil health, is challenging due to difficulties in sampling soils with enough frequency and spatial coverage. Remote sensing data has been used to identify the location of specific crops and estimating yields from those crops. This information can be used in computer models to estimate the impact of land use and agricultural management on SOC. This project will synthetize methods for combining remote sensing and modelling to assess SOC changes in agricultural systems at regional scales. It will involve collecting and organizing spatial data on climate, soil properties, crop yields and agricultural management practices, and proposing methodologies that can be used to inform national greenhouse gas inventories, agri-environmental policy and sustainability assessments in the food supply chain Food Side Co-Investigators - Lizzie Sagoo (ADAS), Daniel Morton (CEH) STFC Side Co-Investigators - Martin Hardcastle (University of Hertfordshire) |
SIM Farm 2030
PI – Jake Bishop (University of Reading) Click + for project summary
The effective assessment of new crop cultivars is an essential part of ensuring food security in a changing climate. The current assessment for UK wheat relies on a simple yield comparison of cultivars at a small number of sites. This approach is unlikely to adequately quantify variations in crop performance, particularly the dependence on weather and soil conditions at the test sites and the anticipated performance across the UK environment, nor does it address the anticipated performance under climate change scenarios. Building on the heritage of the SFN+ funded project FACYNation, we propose to develop a simulation tool that will learn a yield model for existing and new UK wheat cultivars and map that model across the UK to predict performance (and spatio-temporal variability) for current and future environments using UKCP18 climate projections. This tool will also allow us to investigate hypothetical cultivars to guide crop breeders in their design. Food Side Co-Investigators - Edward Pope (Met Office), Lisa Emberson (University of York) STFC Side Co-Investigators - Seb Oliver (University of Sussex), Raphael Shirley (University of Sussex) |
Technology and climate change: a review of STFC Food Network+ projects and future potential
PI – Elta Smith (RAND Europe) Click + for project summary
How can new technologies address the challenges of reducing agri-food greenhouse gas emissions? This project serves as a pilot for identifying innovations with this potential future impact. The pilot focuses on projects funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Food Network+ (SFN) over two years, bringing together innovations from astro, nuclear and particle physics to identify opportunities at the intersection of emerging technology (data science, hardware and facilities), climate change mitigation, and food systems Food Side Co-Investigators - Sonal Choudhary (University of Sheffield), Lisa Emberson (University of York), Marcin Glowacz (University of Greenwich), Courtney Hood (RAND Europe), Manoj Menon (University of Sheffield), Rakesh Nayak (University of Hull), Simon Pearson (University of Lincoln), Ed Pope (Met Office), Christian Reynolds (University of Sheffield), Lizzie Sagoo (ADAS) STFC Side Co-Investigators - Sarah Bridle (University of Manchester), Martin Hardcastle (University of Hertfordshire), Tom Kirkham (STFC Hartree Centre), Seb Oliver (University of Sussex), Stephen Serjeant (The Open University), Angela Walsh (STFC Hartree Centre) |
Tackling Challenges to Water Reuse in Agri-Food Sector [Water-Food]
PI – Devendra Saroj (University of Surrey) Click + for project summary
The availability of freshwater is essential for sustaining the agri-food sector and its climate resilience. Recent studies have shown that the freshwater requirement of the agri-food sector to feed the growing population can be supported by the reuse of wastewater. The composition of wastewater is complex, particularly when it contains the constituents of industrial origin. There are existing evidences of the potential of water reuse in agri-food sector. However, I order to make a step change in water reuse in agrifood sector, a deeper understanding and an assessment of both advanced wastewater treatment and accumulation of contaminants in seeds and plants is essential. As a first approach, we seek to identify complex contaminants which can be degraded using electron beam, in combination with conventional wastewater treatment methods. Furthermore, we seek to identify any accumulation or formation of contaminants in sprouting seeds using high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy. STFC Side Co-Investigators – Donna Pittaway (STFC Daresbury Laboratory), Tina Geraki (Diamond Light Source) |
Combination of FT-IR, Fluorescence and Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS) for the determination of botanical origin and provenance of monofloral UK honeys
PI - Maria Anastasiadi (Cranfield University) Click + for project summary
UK honey production covers ~14% of the local demand with many bee farmers striving to produce monofloral honeys with unique flavour characteristics which are highly prized by the consumers and allow higher profit margin. However, the quality traits of UK monofloral honeys are not yet well established and often fail to meet the criteria of the 2001 EU directive. Moreover reliable authentication (botanical and geographical origin) requires costly and time consuming analytical techniques not readily available to the producers. This project will explore the combination of rapid non-invasive techniques including Fluorescence, Infrared and Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS) coupled with Machine Learning algorithms for the authentication and quality control of UK monofloral honeys. All the above techniques are potentially deployable in field. STFC unique expertise in SORS can provide the added benefit of through-container analysis of honey, with applications in both adulteration detection and quality monitoring throughout storage. Food Side Co-Investigators - Fady Mohareb (Cranfield University) STFC Side Co-Investigators - Pavel Matousek (STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory) |
Enhancing the Potential of the Rhizosphere for Sustainable Food Production: understanding microhabitats around roots with neutron imaging19
PI - Xavier Portell-Canal - Cranfield University Click + for project summary
The root microbiome holds the key to sustainable food production. Exploitation is however hampered by the absence of a predictive understanding of which traits organisms need for successful introduction into the rhizosphere. For this, we need to better understand the physical environment in the rhizosphere. We will explore neutron scanning to visualise the physical environment surrounding roots. We will develop an experimental system that will allow us to quantify the distribution of water, air and solids surrounding roots and explore suitability of the IMAT beamline and establish the spatial resolution that can be obtained. We will use the data as proof of concept to develop a predictive approach to the rhizosphere. The vision is that the combination of neutron imaging with a pore scale modelling approach can be used to describe the physical microhabitat to inform microbiological rhizosphere models, guiding industry towards optimal ways to introduce microorganisms to the rhizosphere Food Side Co-Investigators - Kai H. Luo - University College London, Carol Verheecke-Vaessen - Cranfield University, Wilfred Otten - Cranfield University STFC Side Co-Investigators - Genoveva Burca - STFC ISIS Neutron |
Virtual Food Labels and Retail: Promoting healthy and sustainable food choices
PI – Jason Halford (University of Liverpool) Click + for project summary
Consumers are interested in food labelling and the Food industry must meet commitments on sustainability and health. Environmental labelling is on the increase with more space on product packaging being devoted to it. But consumers don’t/can’t pay attention to it all and it may be failing to influence choice. The project examines what do consumers look at when constrained on space, price and time? Current lab based visualisation systems are abstract and findings don’t reliably translate to real world (commercial risk); however, we will use STFC advanced visualisation systems to look at the optimum product labelling in a retail environment. Food Side Co-Investigators – Jo Harrold (University of Liverpool), Paul Christiansen (University of Liverpool), Christian Reynolds (University of Sheffield), Panayiota Julie Alevizou (University of Sheffield), Julie Crenn (University of Greenwich), Charlotte Mills (University of Reading), Bob Doherty (University of York) STFC Side Co-Investigators – Angela Walsh (STFC Hartree Centre), David Bogg (STFC Hartree Centre) |
The Food Policy Impact Simulator
PI - Jason Halford (University of Liverpool) & Bob Doherty (University of York) Click + for project summary
The project will investigate the potential to create a food policy impact simulator. Focusing on specific elements of the food supply chain linked to N8 and Nottingham academics the project will create a feasibility study. This study will be supported by two workshops to define the simulator from both a business technical perspective. We will guide the project with input from an advisory board led by DEFRA. This board will set the policy context for the simulator, enabling the project to set policy goals linked to the business and technical work. Food Side Co-Investigators – Steve Brewer (University of Lincoln), Panos Louvieris (Brunel University), James Pattison (University of Nottingham), Diogo Monteiro (Newcastle University), Rakesh Nayak (University of Hull), Wantao You (University of Roehampton) STFC Side Co-Investigators – Tom Kirkham (STFC Hartree Centre), Robin Pinning (STFC Hartree Centre) |
DryGro Hi-Resolution Spectrometric Crop Monitoring
PI – Sean Peters (DryGro CO2i LTD) Click + for project summary
This project is a collaboration between DryGro (CO2i Ltd.) and Open University to investigate the use of spectrometry to measure quality and other vegetative indexes of the high-protein macrophyte crop Lemna. DryGro has developed technology to grow a low-cost animal feed using 99% less water than conventional feed. Our ability to do this in arid and semi-arid regions alleviates their need to import this key resource. High-quality crop metrics are a significant enabler for this process given that, unlike conventional grows, we grow in harsh conditions and harvest daily. We will use spectrometry to identify quality properties in two varieties of Lemna, grown at three temperatures and two fertilizer concentrations. Wet-laboratory analysis will be used to quantify nutrient content. The results of this project will then be translated into a field trial, followed by commercial operations if results are compelling. Food Side Co-Investigators – Brendan Cawley (DryGro) STFC Side Co-Investigators – Kadmiel Maseyk (The Open University), Stephen Serjeant (The Open University) |
2018 Awarded Scoping Projects
Piloting Zooniverse to help us understand citizen food perceptions
PI - Christian Reynolds (University of Sheffield)
Food Side Co-Investigators - Luca Panzone (University of Newcastle), Ximena Schmidt (University of Manchester), Astrid Kause (University of Leeds), Charles Ffoulkes (ADAS)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - Chris Lintott (Zooniverse, Oxford University), Stephen Serjeant (Open University), Changqiong Wang (University of Reading), Coleman Krawczyk (University of Portsmouth)
PI - Christian Reynolds (University of Sheffield)
Food Side Co-Investigators - Luca Panzone (University of Newcastle), Ximena Schmidt (University of Manchester), Astrid Kause (University of Leeds), Charles Ffoulkes (ADAS)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - Chris Lintott (Zooniverse, Oxford University), Stephen Serjeant (Open University), Changqiong Wang (University of Reading), Coleman Krawczyk (University of Portsmouth)
There is a food knowledge disconnect between the food research community, and general population. Food experts know detailed information about foods, but we do not know, (and cannot measure easily) what citizens understand or perceive to know about food. This pilot will use the STFC funded Zooniverse platform to ask citizens to provide their perceptions about images of specific foods (and serving sizes). For each image, one of a range of questions will be asked including perceptions of greenhouse gas emissions and energy (calorie content). We currently have 2 food image banks from prior projects (Intake24, and NU-Food). These will be uploaded to Zooniverse and used as the pilot classification dataset. Results will be analysed using Bayesian statistics, after seeking advice from STFC data scientists.
Data-driven agri-food supply chains for sustainability and productivity: A case in Henan Province, China
PI - Wantao Yu (University of Roehampton)
Food Side Co-Investigator - Sonal Choudhary (University of Sheffield)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - Tom Kirkham (STFC Hartree Centre), Tom Collingwood (STFC Hartree Centre)
PI - Wantao Yu (University of Roehampton)
Food Side Co-Investigator - Sonal Choudhary (University of Sheffield)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - Tom Kirkham (STFC Hartree Centre), Tom Collingwood (STFC Hartree Centre)
This project aims to improve sustainability and productivity of agri-food supply chains by promoting established good practices in Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT) and Blockchain applications. STFC brings its expertise in all three of these areas to this project. This project will predominantly focus on Henan Province, known as “the breadbasket of China”. Recently completed Agri-Tech in China: Newton Network+ (ATCNN) projects show that agri-food enterprises in China have insufficient understanding and knowledge about how IoT and Blockchain applications and collecting, organising and analysing Big Data help manage sustainable food production. To address the knowledge gap, by working closely with the Chinese partners, the project will first identify the best practices in the UK and China using focus group discussion, expert interviews and secondary data analysis, and secondly, facilitate the knowledge transfer through a dissemination workshop.
Application of Cryogenics to Optimise Cold Supply Chains for Agri-food products in India
PI - Sonal Choudhary (University of Sheffield)
Food Side Co-Investigators - Rakesh Nayak (University of Hull), Sanjay Lanka (University of Sheffield)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - John Vandore (STFC - Rutherford Appleton Laboratory), Bryan Shaughnessy (STFC - RAL SPace)
PI - Sonal Choudhary (University of Sheffield)
Food Side Co-Investigators - Rakesh Nayak (University of Hull), Sanjay Lanka (University of Sheffield)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - John Vandore (STFC - Rutherford Appleton Laboratory), Bryan Shaughnessy (STFC - RAL SPace)
Our project aims to explore capabilities and potential of STFC Cryogenic and Thermal Modelling for reducing food and energy losses in the supply chain, in places where the infrastructure is not well developed - such as in developing countries (India in this case). Unavailability of appropriate technological knowhow, infrastructure and knowledge results in 90% of food wastage in supply chain of developing countries, most of which are associated with fresh food. Advanced technologies such as Cryogenics have potential to strengthen the fresh-food supply by reducing post harvest losses from production-to-consumption level and reduce energy requirements compared to traditional cold supply chains. Using STFC’s proven expertise in Cryogenics, this project would study the implementation challenges, market and knowledge gap, infrastructure and thermal requirement in India from multi-stakeholders perspective: farmers, food processors, distributors, retailers (Amazon India, Tata Tesco and Reliance Fresh), industry gas companies, infrastructure development company, NGOs and government organisations.
Combining IR and pattern recognition to enhance pregnancy success in cattle: Sensing well done steak.
PI - Niamh Forde (University of Leeds)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - Anthony Brown (Durham University), Stephen Serjeant (Open University)
PI - Niamh Forde (University of Leeds)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - Anthony Brown (Durham University), Stephen Serjeant (Open University)
This project will apply pattern recognition techniques, used to analyse astronomical data, to drone-based infrared imaging technology to rapidly survey livestock, spread over a large area, and identify female cows to be inseminated. We will capitalise on the STFC drone expertise for this project. We will look to quantify the accuracy the technique by calibrating the infrared sensors, the accuracy of the automated pattern recognition software, and ultimately, the accuracy of the technique by training against a control sample of cows that are near ovulation. Our proof-of-concept test will be a blind test, with only the PI knowing which cow is near ovulation, and the research Co-I's identifying the cow with drone based imaging.
Scoping the feasibility of low-cost GC and GCxGC platforms for using volatile organic compound markers to assess quality of fresh fruit and vegetables throughout the supply chain.
PI - Hilary Rogers (Cardiff University)
Food Side Co-Investigator - Carsten Müller (Cardiff University)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - Geraint Morgan (AST Solutions and Open University), Simon Sheridan (AST Solutions and Open University)
PI - Hilary Rogers (Cardiff University)
Food Side Co-Investigator - Carsten Müller (Cardiff University)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - Geraint Morgan (AST Solutions and Open University), Simon Sheridan (AST Solutions and Open University)
Minimally processed fresh fruit and vegetables represent a growing market, providing and enhancing access to fresh produce. However these products have a very short shelf-life resulting in a rapid reduction in nutritional value and high waste. Thus there is a need to develop rapid and cost-effective quality assessment for the industry. We have identified markers based on volatile organic compounds (VOCs), analyzed by thermal desorption gas chromatography- time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TD-GC-ToF-MS), to assess shelf life and effects of processing. The challenge now is to transfer this technology onto a cost-effective platform to allow application at different points in the supply chain from intake to retail. We will explore whether STFC- expertise in bespoke instrumentation development for planetary exploration (Rosetta, Beagle2, LUNA27) can be applied to detect our markers and to develop affordable, portable instruments and rapid data analysis.
Forecasting Agricultural Crop Yields at National scales (FACYNation)
PI- Seb Oliver (University of Sussex)
Food Side Co-Investigators - Edward Pope (Met Office), Yoseph Araya (Open University)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - Pete Hurley (University of Sussex), Bjoern Soergel (University of Cambridge, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impacts Research)
PI- Seb Oliver (University of Sussex)
Food Side Co-Investigators - Edward Pope (Met Office), Yoseph Araya (Open University)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - Pete Hurley (University of Sussex), Bjoern Soergel (University of Cambridge, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impacts Research)
Quantifying the present-day climate risk to global food production, and the likely impacts of climate change, are a vital part of achieving SDG 2 (zero hunger). Recent Met Office research shows that natural climate variability explains 50-90% of wheat, maize and rice yield variability world-wide. In turn, wheat, maize and rice account for nearly 60% of global food energy intake. However, building a sustainable, resilient global food system which ensures food security for all requires a deeper understanding of climate-yield relationships for the world’s staple crops. FACYNation will bring together STFC data science experts and Met Office climate scientists and Open University plant ecologists to exploit this research by assessing the potential for accurate real-time yield forecasts in major production regions, and likely climate change impacts. These are essential for supporting food system decision-makers in understanding and managing their climate risk.
Arsenic Detection and Distribution in Rice Plants Using High Resolution X-ray Imaging
PI - Manoj Menon (University of Sheffield)
Food Side Co-Investigators - Christian Reynolds (University of Sheffield), Maria Romero Gonzalez (University of Sheffield), Binoy Sarkar (University of Sheffield), Edward Rhodes (University of Sheffield), Natasha Falconer (University of Aberdeen)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - Sarah Rogers (STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source), Fred Mosselmans (Diamond Light Source), Claire Pizzey (Diamond Light Source)
PI - Manoj Menon (University of Sheffield)
Food Side Co-Investigators - Christian Reynolds (University of Sheffield), Maria Romero Gonzalez (University of Sheffield), Binoy Sarkar (University of Sheffield), Edward Rhodes (University of Sheffield), Natasha Falconer (University of Aberdeen)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - Sarah Rogers (STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source), Fred Mosselmans (Diamond Light Source), Claire Pizzey (Diamond Light Source)
Rice is one of the widely consumed cereal crops in the world. However, likely presence of Arsenic (As) in rice poses a significant health risk when it is grown in an As-rich environment. Rice cultivars vary in their uptake and accumulation of As in grains. Less understood, however, is its spatial distribution and accumulation patterns in different plant parts in cultivars. Arsenic accumulation in other aerial plant parts is a significant concern as both husk and rice straw are widely used for feeding ruminants, extending the risks through consumption of meat and dairy products. The project aims to study the spatial distribution of As in rice plants using x-ray imaging (fluorescence and tomography) facilities at Diamond. This cross-disciplinary project will perform preliminary investigations using a selected number of samples at a very high resolution (2μm). The team aims to produce much-needed research evidence towards future grant applications and publications. Find out more here
Project APROV - Augmented Procurement Visibility - Developing the self organising capability of agricultural procurement systems
PI- Luciano Batista (University of Northampton)
Food Side Co-Investigator - Ram Ramanathan (University of Bedfordshire)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - Tom Kirkham (STFC Hartree Centre), Brian Matthews (STFC Scientific Computing Department)
PI- Luciano Batista (University of Northampton)
Food Side Co-Investigator - Ram Ramanathan (University of Bedfordshire)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - Tom Kirkham (STFC Hartree Centre), Brian Matthews (STFC Scientific Computing Department)
According to WRAP, approximately 10 million tonnes of food are annually wasted post farmgate in the UK, with 29% of this total being wasted in the supply chain, before reaching households. This study will address this problem by investigating alternatives to develop the self-organising capability of agricultural logistics and related procurement systems. The objective of the project is to develop a feasibility study on how food supply chains can respond in advance to the risks associated with unforeseen disruptions undermining the continuation of food distribution processes.
The study will seek to enhance food security and supply chain resilience by specifying highly responsive procurement systems enabled by cutting-edge technologies such as IoT, Big Data analytics, and Blockchain platforms that provide food sector stakeholders with timely and reliable access to information on food provenance and quality across the value chain. The project will involve two methodological approaches that entail active participation of key stakeholders from the industry and scientific community.
The study will seek to enhance food security and supply chain resilience by specifying highly responsive procurement systems enabled by cutting-edge technologies such as IoT, Big Data analytics, and Blockchain platforms that provide food sector stakeholders with timely and reliable access to information on food provenance and quality across the value chain. The project will involve two methodological approaches that entail active participation of key stakeholders from the industry and scientific community.
The use of aroma volatiles profile for detecting mesocarp disorders in avocado fruit
PI - Marcin Glowacz (Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - Geraint Morgan (AST Solutions and Open University), Simon Sheridan (AST Solutions and Open University)
PI - Marcin Glowacz (Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - Geraint Morgan (AST Solutions and Open University), Simon Sheridan (AST Solutions and Open University)
The avocado fruit is prone to developing various internal disorder (e.g. vascular browning, grey pulp, fungal decay, etc.) which are not visible from the outside. Thus, the purpose of this research is to investigate the feasibility of using thermal desorption gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) system for determining aroma volatile organic compounds (VOCs) profile. It would inform us whether this system can be used for detecting mesocarp disorders in avocado fruit - reducing the number of poor quality fruit within the supply chain, in this way decreasing the likelihood of consumers’ complaints and thus increasing their satisfaction. This scoping project combines the knowledge of avocado fruit physiology with the specialized expertise in the collection, separation and identification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in remote locations, as exemplified by the successful development and application of the Ptolemy instrument, after a 10 year and 4 billion mile journey, for the comet chasing Rosetta mission.
STRIMER - STrawberry Ripeness Identification by MicrowavE Resonance
PI - Fumie Costen (University of Manchester)
STFC Side Co-Investigator - Brian Ellison (STFC RAL Space)
PI - Fumie Costen (University of Manchester)
STFC Side Co-Investigator - Brian Ellison (STFC RAL Space)
Soft fruit produce is a highly productive and competitive sector of UK agricultural industry. It is worth more than £1.2B/year to the economy and provides extensive employment. Of this, approximately 70% is derived from strawberry production; a highly seasonal group with a short and critical harvesting period. Determining optimum strawberry ripeness is essential in maximising crop yield and quality, which increases profit and export competitiveness. The University of Manchester(UoM), with the support of the STFC, proposes to develop a novel strawberry ripeness indicator that uses a microwave resonance technique to measure growth- related variation in the fruit complex permittivity. Manchester and STFC possess advanced microwave software modelling tools, instrumentation and expertise to support preliminary simulation and proof-of-concept experimental work. A ripeness estimation algorithm will be generated and a future portable system conceived that, when developed, will provide fruit farmers with a new agricultural tool.
Influencing phosphorus speciation in Soil-Root environment for reduced phosphorus accumulation and sustainable global food production [InRoot]
PI - Devendra Saroj (University of Surrey)
STFC Side Co-Investigator - Tony Parker (STFC Central Laser Facility)
PI - Devendra Saroj (University of Surrey)
STFC Side Co-Investigator - Tony Parker (STFC Central Laser Facility)
The phosphorus (P) leaching from agricultural runoff and P pollution from wastewater results in eutrophication of freshwater bodies. A significant progress has been made during last few decades on the recycling of phosphorus in agriculture to reduce the eutrophication of freshwater bodies and reduce the fertiliser demand. However, the demand for phosphorus mining continues to grow due to soil P accumulation. In order to make a step change in the demand for phosphorus mining, the problem of soil P accumulation must be addressed, besides the recycling of phosphorus as fertiliser. This project aims at developing a new understanding of P accumulation and speciation on soil and plant root environment. As a first approach, we seek to develop quantification of P levels in soil and will seek to use STFC's Raman spectroscopy expertise to determine retention times following treatment of a variety of soil systems under a range of simulated wetting conditions.
Through-container detection and quantification of the adulteration of fruit juices and coconut water using handheld spatially offset Raman scattering
PI - Roy Goodacre (University of Manchester)
Food Side Co-Investigator - David Ellis (University of Manchester)
STFC Side Co-Investigator - Pavel Matousek (STFC Central Laser Facility)
PI - Roy Goodacre (University of Manchester)
Food Side Co-Investigator - David Ellis (University of Manchester)
STFC Side Co-Investigator - Pavel Matousek (STFC Central Laser Facility)
The project is to develop and test the ability of spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS), coupled with robust multivariate data analysis, for assuring the integrity of food. We have chosen fruit juices and coconut water as potential foodstuffs that are susceptible to adulteration. Both products are popular in the UK (and indeed worldwide), of high value and we have worked with these drinks before. All applicants have experience of SORS for through container counterfeit detection in alcoholic drinks. We consider that SORS has the potential to be a highly disruptive technology for food integrity analysis and could be a very valuable capable guardian (detection technology) within food systems. Both Manchester and STFC have SORS instruments so this would also allow for inter-laboratory comparisons which are needed for robust analyses across many laboratories.
Remote sensing of soil water content.
PI - Anthony Brown (Durham University)
Food Side Co-Investigator - Karen Rial-Lovera (Royal Agricultural University)
STFC Side Co-Investigator - Genoveva Burca (STFC - ISIS Neutron and Muon Source)
PI - Anthony Brown (Durham University)
Food Side Co-Investigator - Karen Rial-Lovera (Royal Agricultural University)
STFC Side Co-Investigator - Genoveva Burca (STFC - ISIS Neutron and Muon Source)
Knowing the amount of water that is present in the soil is fundamentally important to food production. Too little or too much water and the crops don’t grow properly, if at all. Furthermore, saturated ground increases the likelihood of water run-off carrying away important nutrients and fertilisers. This project will look to produce a drone-based prototype to remotely sense the presence of water, using a variety of pass-band filters for optical/infrared light, to concentrate on key water absorption features in reflected light. Comparing the amount of light in these different pass-bands allows us to sense the presence of water. One of the key aspects of this project will be the attention given to calibrating the optical/infrared detectors which draws on our previous STFC-funded work on using these detectors for telescope calibration. Using well calibrated light sources, we will investigate how accurate off-the-shelf cameras are. Using off-the-shelf components will allow the technique to be accessible to the wider farming community then a select few.
Mapping and early detection of coffee leaf rust in coffee fields in northern Thailand
PI - Oliver Windram
Food Side Co-Investigator - Katherine Denby (University of York)
STFC Side Co-Investigator - Dr Anthony Brown (University of Durham)
PI - Oliver Windram
Food Side Co-Investigator - Katherine Denby (University of York)
STFC Side Co-Investigator - Dr Anthony Brown (University of Durham)
Coffee is the most valuable and widely traded tropical agricultural product. In Thailand, coffee production began in the region north of Chiang Mai 30 years ago to replace opium. It now represents an important source of income and development opportunity in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai has government backing to establish itself as the coffee capital of South-East Asia with production in the hill villages focused on the higher quality Arabica varieties. However, high-quality coffee production, as a livelihood, is difficult in these regions. Coffee leaf rust (CLR) is a world-wide fungal disease with potentially devastating impacts on coffee production. With hill farmers unable to afford fungicides, early detection of CLR and removal of infected trees is critical. We will use drones to gather multispectral image data to identify coffee plants in hillside fields and identify initial signatures for detection of CLR prior to visible symptoms.
Exploring novel techniques to assess food price shocks
PI - Aled Jones (Anglia Ruskin University)
Food Side Co-Investigator - Valeria Shumaylova (University of Cambridge)
PI - Aled Jones (Anglia Ruskin University)
Food Side Co-Investigator - Valeria Shumaylova (University of Cambridge)
Food systems represent a significant risk to financial and political stability in a number of regions around the world. The Global Sustainability Institute at Anglia Ruskin University has been building models, gathering data and developing methods to explore the dynamics involved in civil unrest, financial instability and local responses associated with food production shocks. These include agent based modelling, systems dynamic modelling, narratives, scenario development, access to weather systems monitoring and war gaming. However, the analysis techniques applied to understanding historic food price dynamics as a result of production shocks are simple econometric tools such as regression testing. A much more sophisticated approach to data analysis could yield new insights in historic price shocks that would better inform policy and market based responses. By working with STFC expertise from the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics at the University of Cambridge this project will explore some of those techniques.
You can see a review of this study here
You can see a review of this study here
Hacking the second green revolution
PI - Paul Scholefield (NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology)
Food Side Co-Investigators - Toby Waine (Cranfield University)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - Yonghuai Liu (Aberystwyth University), Rene Breton (University of Manchester), Joseph Fennell (University of Manchester), Hugh Mortimer (STFC RAL Space)
PI - Paul Scholefield (NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology)
Food Side Co-Investigators - Toby Waine (Cranfield University)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - Yonghuai Liu (Aberystwyth University), Rene Breton (University of Manchester), Joseph Fennell (University of Manchester), Hugh Mortimer (STFC RAL Space)
Understanding crop yield prediction and crop productivity requires a scaling of measurement and monitoring for a global approach. While remote sensing techniques provide high temporal resolution and broad coverage, the hyperspectral imaging provides data to distinguish the growth conditions and species of plants. Here the key issue is how to combine these two kinds of data for such purposes of plant growth monitoring and yield prediction at high spatial resolution such as in small scale crop production. While each has its own characteristics,this project intends to bring STFC data scientists together to analyse both hyperspectral and LIDAR data to calibrate plant canopy reflectance. In return, the reflection properties can be used to predict the plant growth conditions and ultimately yield. Such projects involve several stages of data fusion and analysis such as data capture, noise removal/data normalization, data modeling, model testing and improvement. Various tools and methods will be implemented and developed for noise removal, data normalization, 3D modeling, visualization, skeletonization, trait measurement, association of light reflection and plant growth conditions and yield, and for the statistical analysis of the effects of different features within the models. New data will be collected in due course for testing during model development. The research findings will be presented in international conferences and workshops and published in the international journals.
Scoping the possibilities for Multi-modal sensing for non-destructive assessment of avocado fruit quality
PI - Mike O'Toole (University of Manchester)
Food Side Co-Investigator - Marcin Glowacz (Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich)
STFC Side Co-Investigator - Hugh Mortimer (STFC RAL Space)
PI - Mike O'Toole (University of Manchester)
Food Side Co-Investigator - Marcin Glowacz (Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich)
STFC Side Co-Investigator - Hugh Mortimer (STFC RAL Space)
This project will look into the investigation of new sensor technologies for non-destructive measurement of avocado fruit maturity. Avocado fruit is a high-value fruit of growing popularity among consumers. However, retailers have noticed that supplied batches/cartons have considerable variation in maturity. Furthermore, it has become clear that the traditional method of gauging ripeness – by colour change – has proven unreliable. This has prompted complaints from consumers, and poses a problem for industry, who are seeking a consistent and accurate method for measuring fruit maturity. We aim to investigate two sensor modalities: (1) hyper-spectral imaging of the fruit using new sensors originally developed for planetary observation, and (2) a magnetic induction method which uses bio-impedance spectroscopy to obtain information about the cell properties of a bulk biological sample. This method has been shown to be capable of robust measurement of various agricultural produce, such as apples, potatoes, pears, amongst others.
Making vertical farming stack-up
PI- Seb Oliver (University of Sussex)
Food Side Co-Investigators - Jack Farmer (LettUs Grow Ltd), Charlie Guy (LettUs Grow Ltd), Benjamin Crowther (LettUs Grow Ltd)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - Philip Rooney (University of Sussex), Pete Hurley (University of Sussex)
PI- Seb Oliver (University of Sussex)
Food Side Co-Investigators - Jack Farmer (LettUs Grow Ltd), Charlie Guy (LettUs Grow Ltd), Benjamin Crowther (LettUs Grow Ltd)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - Philip Rooney (University of Sussex), Pete Hurley (University of Sussex)
Indoor farms, whether they be a greenhouse or vertical farm, require close control over a wide range of environmental variables. The temperature, humidity, and air flow around the plant shoots and roots is a crucial determinant of crop growth rate. These can be balanced alongside lighting, irrigation, and nutrient delivery, to generate the perfect microenvironment for individual plant species – and maximise growth rate within the facility. Similarly, while large facilities have the budget to purchase multi- million-pound solutions from factory automation experts, most vertical farmers do not have access to automated sowing, harvesting, or packaging machines. This results in prohibitively high labour costs, as employees are put to work cutting crops by hand. This scoping project will involve collaboration between the STFC, LettUs Grow, and researchers from the Harper Adams University, to investigate technical solutions to the problems experienced by vertical farmers.
Continuous Ammonia Monitoring for AGriculture - CAMAG
PI - Brian Ellison (STFC RAL Space)
Food Side Co-Investigators - Lizzie Sagoo (ADAS), Fangjie Zhao (Rothamsted)
PI - Brian Ellison (STFC RAL Space)
Food Side Co-Investigators - Lizzie Sagoo (ADAS), Fangjie Zhao (Rothamsted)
Ammonia (NH3) is an atmospheric pollutant of international environmental concern. Its release into the atmosphere is predominantly associated with agricultural use; particularly from livestock where, for example, it is lost from grazing, housing, hard-standings, manure storage and land spreading. Within the UK, about 80% of agricultural ammonia emissions are also from livestock, with the remaining 20% from mineral fertilizer application. International targets aimed at achieving emission reduction have therefore been established and methods of abatement relating to, for example, optimizing slurry application, incorporation and storage have been identified. Ensuring adequate abatement requires precise detection and continuous monitoring of NH3. To achieve this, the CAMAG project will both apply and explore an advanced gas sensing technique, originally developed for radio astronomy research, that detects the natural microwave spectral emission signature of NH3. The accuracy of the methodology will be determined and assessed, and its performance compared with alternative sensing methods.
Investigating the nano to microstructural architecture of ingredients and intermediates to improve industrial snack product performance
PI - Bruce Linter (PepsiCo International)
Food Side Co-Investigators - Bhavnita Patel (PepsiCo), David Jones (PepsiCo), Amanda Talhat (PepsiCo), John Bows (PepsiCo) Ian Hamilton (PepsiCo), Tim Ingmire (PepsiCo), Stacie Tibos (PepsiCo)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - Tom Kirkham (STFC Hartree Centre) Genoveva Burca (STFC - ISIS Neutron and Muon Source), Dave Clarke (STFC - Central Laser Facility), Kathryn Welsby (STFC - Central Laser Facility), Claire Pizzey (STFC - Diamond Light Source) Sally Irvine (STFC - Diamond Light Source), Lee Connor (STFC - Diamond Light Source)
PI - Bruce Linter (PepsiCo International)
Food Side Co-Investigators - Bhavnita Patel (PepsiCo), David Jones (PepsiCo), Amanda Talhat (PepsiCo), John Bows (PepsiCo) Ian Hamilton (PepsiCo), Tim Ingmire (PepsiCo), Stacie Tibos (PepsiCo)
STFC Side Co-Investigators - Tom Kirkham (STFC Hartree Centre) Genoveva Burca (STFC - ISIS Neutron and Muon Source), Dave Clarke (STFC - Central Laser Facility), Kathryn Welsby (STFC - Central Laser Facility), Claire Pizzey (STFC - Diamond Light Source) Sally Irvine (STFC - Diamond Light Source), Lee Connor (STFC - Diamond Light Source)
Food and drink is the largest manufacturing sector in the UK. PepsiCo is among the biggest businesses in the sector, both nationally and globally. Despite the use of identical ingredients and manufacturing, we still experience varied consumer perceptions of our product textures across our markets. This suggests not only a requirement for further development of our specifications, but also a deeper microstructural understanding of our ingredients. Furthermore, we need to improve our understanding of the expansion of our products, particularly crisps and crackers. This funding will be used to scope a future PepsiCo-STFC project, with the aim of investigating the microstructure and material science of the ingredients, aspects which are typically not included in material specifications to determine new ingredients. The funding requested will be used to host a facilitated technical workshop with leading academics, PepsiCo employees and key members of the STFC. These, in turn, will be used to propose technical work packages for projects via different routes of funding such as Bridging for Innovation.