Agri-TechE has seen the Controlled Environment Agriculture sector grow rapidly in maturity and the dialogue has changed considerably in just a couple of years.

Significant investment in vertical farming and controlled environment operations has seen the industry develop commercial-scale operations. The challenge now is around developing the business models for deployment and investment.

Innovations aimed at reducing the cost of production, optimising the growing environment and the breeding of plants best suited to these conditions are attracting significant interest from both conventional growers and newcomers, stimulating further research developments.

The social and economic disruptions of recent months and growing recognition of the benefits of transparent and responsive supply chains is also creating a new dynamic.

The 2021 CEA conference draws on speakers from across the agri-tech ecosystem, each with different perspectives. It provides an opportunity to review progress, look at the recent developments and gain informed glimpses of the future.