Project aims to reduce emissions and increase biodiversity on Ribena blackcurrant farm

Published by  Communications

A group of people inspecting farmland
Michael Leckie/PA Wire

A new research project launches today designed to contribute to a carbon neutral supply chain and increase biodiversity on a Ribena blackcurrant farm in Norfolk. 

Suntory Beverage & Food Great Britain and Ireland (SBF GB&I), the producer of Ribena, and the University of East Anglia are embarking on a project to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the growing of blackcurrants through regenerative farming practices.

In collaboration with Suntory Holdings Limited and Soil Ecology Laboratory, the ambitious project will take place across much of the 60 hectares of blackcurrant production at Gorgate Farm in Norfolk, which has been growing blackcurrants for Ribena since the 1950s. 

As part of Suntory Group’s overall ambition to support crop resilience and reduce carbon emissions from its supply chain, this work aims to reduce three greenhouse gas emissions from blackcurrant production and improve soil health so that it can support plant resilience and increase the amount of carbon it can store.

Rosie Begg, second generation blackcurrant grower at Gorgate Farm and the research lead, said: “Ribena is an iconic brand with an 85-year history of supporting the UK blackcurrant industry, driving innovation in blackcurrant farming as well as the conservation of farmland. 

“Challenging climatic and economic conditions over the past few growing seasons have inspired me to investigate, and start to adopt regenerative farming practices, that will allow us to grow sustainably as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

“It’s thrilling to be able to bring in national experts and researchers to support this ambition and to be so supported by our customer. Collaborating with Suntory’s global team will enable us to share our learnings and learn from regenerative projects all over the world.

“Soil truly is the most important and essential ecosystem, its linked to every function on the planet. The aim is by focusing on soil biology restoration, we can allow natural processes to support blackcurrant production without so much intervention, benefiting both the environment and blackcurrants we grow substantially.”

Brian Reid, Professor of Soil Science at UEA’s School of Environmental Sciences, said: "It is incredibly exciting to be collaborating on this project. For several years we have pioneered approaches to assess soil carbon storage permanence and the relationships that exist between soil carbon and soil biodiversity. 

“This support from Suntory enables a real-world opportunity to apply our science and quantify the benefits of regenerative agriculture interventions." 

The project will focus on minimising external inputs while improving soil health, plant nutrition and environmental protection through:
•    Sap sampling to better understand and optimise blackcurrant plant nutrition – the theory being macro and micro-nutrient imbalances affect plant resilience and attack by pests and diseases;
•    Utilisation of novel and organic inputs (both fertiliser and crop protection) to replace conventional inputs;
•    Creation of diverse alleyway swards to feed the soil, increase carbon;
•    Improvements to soil health and carbon sequestration through the utilisation of compost extracts to restore soil microbiology.

Harriet Prosser, agronomist at SBF GB&I, said: “This project represents a real shift away from more conventional practices. The principles are backed by credible science but have yet to be commercially tested in more mainstream perennial fruit systems. 

“The aim is to produce quality data that will enable us to scale up these principals to the wider industry. We’re not just tackling greenhouse gas emissions, we’re looking to increase the amount of life, in our soil, in turn improving soil health and fertility which benefits the blackcurrant itself.

“This trial is part of a global regenerative agriculture initiative led by Suntory Holdings Limited, and draws on expertise from industry and academia, it aims to facilitate healthy plant growth and re-establish a more natural soil food web. 

“This is a really ambitious project - we want to do this important work while maintaining a commercial yield of high quality juicy British blackcurrants that will go into making Ribena for the next 85 years.” 

The pilot project will launch in April 2023, backed by investment from Suntory Holdings Limited for at least three years. However, it is hoped that the principles and learnings developed will lead to a step change in sustainable production not just in blackcurrant but for many other crops well into the future, creating a blueprint that could support other growers as they start their regenerative agriculture journey. 

Brian Golden, Senior General Manager at Global Supply Solutions, Suntory Holdings Limited, added: “This is another milestone in the series of regenerative agriculture pilots we at Suntory Holdings are excited about and investing in.

"Thriving agricultural systems are crucial to our business and we place regenerative agriculture as one of the core solutions in transitioning to sustainable agricultural practices across all markets. This project in the UK will allow us to further our collaboration with various supply chain partners to procure more sustainably and to decarbonise."

The project will use the widely adopted Cool Farm Tool to quantify the on-farm greenhouse gas emissions and soil carbon sequestration. This will ensure accurate and consistent carbon reporting. It is hoped the wider results will be reported via peer-reviewed scientific papers charting the project’s findings.
 

Latest News

 
A group of friends drinking pints at a table.
26 May 2023

Heavy drinkers risk muscle loss, new study finds

Heavy drinkers could be putting themselves at risk of muscle loss and frailty in later life, according to new research from the University of East Anglia.

Read more >
 
A neonatal baby being held by its mother.
26 May 2023

Identifying the gut bacteria that threaten neonatal babies

Researchers from the Quadram Institute and University of East Anglia have identified what makes some strains of gut bacteria life-threatening in pre-term babies.

Read more >
 
Plastic garbage floating in the ocean.
23 May 2023

Uncovering the consequences of plastic pollution

Experts at the University of East Anglia have warned of the dangers of plastic pollution ahead of a UN meeting on the topic.

Read more >
 
A polling station sign.
15 May 2023

Enact electoral reforms worldwide to protect against future emergencies

Electoral reforms should be undertaken worldwide, drawing from elections held during the pandemic, to prepare for future emergency situations, according to new...

Read more >
Are you searching for something?
 
A polling station sign.
15 May 2023

Enact electoral reforms worldwide to protect against future emergencies

Electoral reforms should be undertaken worldwide, drawing from elections held during the pandemic, to prepare for future emergency situations, according to new...

Read more >
 
A mother talking to her toddler.
15 May 2023

How talking to toddlers boosts early brain development

Talking to toddlers helps shape their developing brain, according to new research from the University of East Anglia.

Read more >
 
Seaweed
12 May 2023

New research project to help kickstart Norfolk seaweed industry

The Seaweed in East Anglia project aims to identify the steps needed to develop a successful seaweed industry in East Anglia, with a particular focus on Norfolk.

Read more >
 
A scientist inspects a petri dish of bacteria.
11 May 2023

How bacteria evolve resistance to antibiotics

Bacteria can rapidly evolve resistance to antibiotics by adapting special pumps to flush them out of their cells, according to new research from the Quadram...

Read more >
 
A doctor administering an MRI scan.
10 May 2023

The technology that can detect rapid pressure changes inside your heart

Researchers at the University of East Anglia have used cutting-edge imaging technology to measure acute pressure changes inside the heart.

Read more >
 
L-R: Laura and Kirstie Goodchild
09 May 2023

University of East Anglia student who suffered smell and taste disorders to speak at specialist symposium

A UEA student who suffered from both anosmia and parosmia, will speak about her experiences at a symposium aimed at furthering research and treatment for those...

Read more >
 
All seven of the UEA mathematicians
01 May 2023

British Applied Mathematics Colloquium

Well done to all seven of the UEA mathematicians who delivered talks at this years British Applied Mathematics Colloquium in Bristol (BAMC). 

Read more >