Light Science Technologies Holdings PLC CEO Simon Deacon recently spoke with Proactive’s Stephen Gunnion about a significant grant they received from The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Innovate UK. The £188,251 grant is part of a £299,748 collaboration aimed at transforming food production.

The grant will support the development of sensors for monitoring soil conditions, which will complement the company’s existing air zone sensors. This collaboration, led by Light Science Technologies in partnership with Bridge Farms and Zenith Nurseries, is focused on enhancing crop yields and making agricultural practices more cost-efficient by optimizing fertiliser and energy usage.

The project aligns with the company’s overarching goal of enabling continuous crop growth in controlled environments like glasshouses and vertical farms. Deacon emphasized the potential of the smart agriculture market, which is projected to reach a global value of $55 billion by 2032 with a 12% growth rate.

As the company has established a global distribution network, they plan to integrate the new sensor technology into their SensorGrow product range for commercial sale following a 12-month trial period. This initiative represents a significant step forward in advancing key food production research and technology.