Revolutionary irrigation system could help feed millions
बुधवार, 28 अप्रैल 2010
A Yorkshire based agricultural technology firm believes it can increase food production for millions of farmers in drier climates after securing major funding for its revolutionary micro-irrigation system.
Liquid Lever Solutions (LLS) has been awarded a Yorkshire Forward £141,000 research and development grant to further develop Liquid Lever – a system that allows food producers to carry out controlled watering in orchards, groves and vineyards without the need to expensive energy inputs or computerised control.
The funding will allow LLS to carry out extensive testing and field trials of the new technology at sites in Spain, Turkey and Kenya ahead of the product's commercial launch in 2011.
Mike Brown, LLS's managing director, came up with the idea for Liquid Lever to solve the problem of watering his office plants in Hull when he was at home in Scotland.
Using a combination of elastic polymers, which bend or straighten depending on water conditions, he devised a valve that adjusts water flow automatically to suit the moisture level.
However, he soon realised that his hobby could help millions of farmers in some of the world's most arid environments.
Mr Brown said: "After the market research it quickly became evident that the irrigation industry was becoming ever more dependent on electricity and complexity as it strove towards ever larger economies of scale.
"At the other end of the spectrum, the needs of small commercial and subsistence farmers were not being adequately met."