10027082Maximising profitability of vertical farming through integration of sales, climate and sensory dataClosedCollaborative R&DISCFFood production is responsible for 31% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with the largest increase since 1990 coming from activities like processing, packaging and transportation. The UK imports £6.4bn of fruit and vegetables a year, often from thousands of miles away, while domestic agriculture struggles with labour shortages. Harvest Farms grows crops at greater productivity than fields or greenhouses, using up to 95% less water and no pesticides, meaning no river pollution or soil degradation. We grow year-round, close to our customers: lower environmental impact, fresher ingredients. We are building a 5,000m2 vertical farm, with capacity for 250,000kg of fresh produce a year. To maximise gains from this farm, Harvest Farms proposes to develop its proprietary farm management software - Ani - to integrate a vast array of data ranging from prices and farm capacity, to climate data, combined with information from advanced sensors. This will drive increased profitability for Harvest's business model, and help the UK on its path to a more sustainable food system.