Date: 2024-05-15 Page is: DBtxt003.php txt00017887 | |||||||||
Food Production | |||||||||
Burgess COMMENTARY Peter Burgess | |||||||||
This Scottish startup is helping farmers grow plants with sea water
Salt-resistant plants are helping farmers to adapt to the reality of less rain.
Image: Ryan Loughlin/Unsplash
Seawater Solutions is helping farmers on Scotland’s west coast adapt to the reality of less rain by choosing salt-resistant plants and developing saltmarshes - land flooded by tidal waters - for them to grow in. “These plants can create eco-systems and promote wildlife, but they can also feed us in a sustainable way and return health to the soil,” said Seawater Solutions founder Yanik Nyberg, as he planted sea aster – a flavoursome, wild plant. The company is working with Jay Crawford, a potato and carrot farmer, to farm an acre of his land previously underused because of its exposure to the sea wind and salt spray. 'We’ve taken a piece of land here that was maybe only going to yield a couple of hundred pounds per year into something that could maybe yield a couple of thousand pounds per year,' he said. Image: Seawater Solutions Pipelines running from the sea bring water that recreates the tide and irrigates crops of bright green samphire stalks and sea blite, a herb-like plant that looks like rosemary, as well as aster. Typically used as gourmet garnishes, the plants are becoming more mainstream and demand is growing by 10% per year, according to Seawater Solutions. George Chubb of Glasgow greengrocer Roots and Fruits said the plants were really popular because of their “extreme taste” and “eco credentials”. Growing populations, intensive farming and climate change are putting pressure on the world’s limited water supplies, researchers say. United Nations data shows two billion people – a quarter of the world’s population – are now using water much faster than natural sources can be replenished. ------------------------------------------- Have you read? Why carbon farming could be the answer to climate change High-tech innovation could shape the future of Africa's farming landscape The future of farming is moving indoors. Here's why Predictions for 2030: What if we get things right? Read the series Most Popular Plastic waste from Western countries is poisoning Indonesia Johnny Wood 04 Dec 2019 Is China the next frontier for the meatless industry? Pei Li and Brenda Goh · Reuters 04 Dec 2019 Thailand's 'floating' crosswalk is making drivers stop and look Prapan Chankaew · Reuters 03 Dec 2019 More on the agenda Forum in focus Here’s how we’re ensuring there’ll be enough sustainable and nutritious food for 9.8 billion people by 2050 Read more about this project Explore context Oceans Explore the latest strategic trends, research and analysis |