Towards Sustainable Horticulture

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing the world today. Most economic sectors contribute significantly to this problem through their operations and supply chains. As a result, many companies nowadays strive to mitigate the negative impacts of their activities. Corporations embrace climate-neutral goals for many reasons. The most obvious is that it is simply the right thing to do. Climate change is a global problem, and enterprises should foster a sustainable future. It is also excellent for business. The environmental consciousness of consumers and investors is growing swiftly. They demand sustainable products and services and look for companies to reduce their impact. Organisations positively acting on climate change position themselves for long-term success. The ones that do not will endure a crisis. Besides, reducing the environmental footprint saves money, increases efficiency, and improves competitiveness. For example, investing in clean energy or implementing recycling programs lowers energy and waste management costs. Furthermore, shifting towards climate neutrality nurtures innovation and brings about competitive advantages.

Sustainable horticulture aims to produce high-quality products in an environmentally, socially responsible, and economically viable manner. It is easier said than done, for growers face many challenges to attenuate their footprint. The most compelling are:

• Soil and nutrients management

• Minimal impact and resistance eluding crop protection.

• Non-renewable resources use reduction.

• Water use efficiency

• Biodiversity promotion

Horticulture stands at historical crossroads. A critical choice must be made, business as usual or embrace the new reality of a transformative but sustainable future. Taking steps to change production systems seems overwhelming. However, one should acknowledge the unfathomable complexity of climate-neutral goals for construction, mining, or transportation industries. We could even consider ourselves lucky, for our sector needs evolution and no revolution. Furthermore, plethoric researches occur at universities and companies, and countless solutions are already commercially available.

Sustainable horticulture aims to produce high-quality products in an environmentally, socially responsible, and economically viable manner. It is easier said than done, for growers face many challenges to attenuate their footprint.

The way forward can be divided into two distinct but complementary paths. The first one engages in the modernisation of ancient practices. Organic manure, such as compost, recycled manure, or insect frass, provides plants with the necessary nutrients while improving soil health. Similarly, natural pesticides, microbial inoculants, and biostimulants are thriving and taking over synthetic chemical applications. Promoting biodiversity can be achieved by crop rotation, creating habitat, planting crops and native plants attracting beneficial insects and other wildlife.

The second path relies on innovation and new technologies. Autonomous greenhouse steering is already a reality. Multiple start-ups harness artificial intelligence algorithms to automate sensor-based climate, irrigation, and pest management decisions. Drones can control moth infestation, LED lighting is becoming the new standard, and greenhouses could soon become energy sources. Breeding companies also focus on plant resilience to produce healthy crops with less input. Furthermore, the biobased economy is booming; the production processes of fuels, biopolymers, chemicals, and energy from otherwise discarded biomass resources are maturing fast.

Unfortunately, many challenges and structural problems remain unattended. Financial and marketing constraints, knowledge and skill level, providing consumers with relevant information, and the fair quantifying of environmental impacts are some of the most pressing. Moreover, growers face structural threats as they lack pricing power in the supply chain. Nevertheless, transformation is imperative to front-run unavoidable public opinion and legislative backlashes. Fortunately, leader companies drive progress towards a more sustainable future and inspire others to follow. To quote the famous Romain Stoic philosopher Seneca, “It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult”. We should start immediately.