Life cycle environmental impacts of new horticultural production methods

In horticulture, technological development and structural change have been rapid. The tunnel production of raspberry and strawberry has become more common and the vertical growing of herbs and seedlings is started in the first companies. New methods can lead to more efficient use of inputs, but at the same time the opportunity to utilize natural ecosystem services can be lost. Differences between new and old production methods are recognized, but the environmental impacts of the different methods have not been studied and are not known with sufficient accuracy at the moment. Without life cycle assessment of the production and products, it is difficult to develop production methods and products in a more sustainable direction.

The aim of this project is to determine the life cycle environmental impacts of developing horticulture through case studies and to bring them to the attention of primary producers, tunnel and vertical system manufacturers, education, advisory companies, decision makers in research and industry and consumers. The life cycle assessment can highlight the pros and cons of new production methods and guide the development of production methods and products in a more environmentally sustainable way. With up-to-date information, future research and development efforts can focus on the problems identified in production.

The main actor of the project is the Natural Resources Center Finland (LUKE). In addition, the resources of Kainuu Vocational College (KAO) are involved in the project. In the transfer and communication of the project results, the partners are the Finnish Glasshouse Growers' Association and the Finnish Association of Fruit and Berry Growers. In order to support the data production and to develop development proposals, suppliers and developers of vertical technology and tunnel structures will be utilized.