Grant boost for pioneering micro-irrigation system
A REVOLUTIONARY agricultural technology firm looks set to improve irrigation and increase food production for millions of farmers in drier climates after securing major funding.
Liquid Lever Solutions (LSS) has been awarded the Yorkshire Forward £141,000 research and development grant for its micro-irrigation system.
The system, called Liquid Lever, allows food producers to carry out
controlled watering in orchards, groves and vineyards without the need for
expensive energy inputs or computerised control.
The money will allow LSS 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, LSS’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.”
LSS was assisted in its research application funding by Hull Forward.
John Holmes, its chief executive, said that technological innovation should be celebrated and supported to give the city a competitive edge.
“We want to help turn entrepreneurial vision into commercial reality, and
this financial support plays an important part in that process” he said.
“We are extremely pleased that we will have been able to help Liquid Lever
Solutions to bring its exciting new product to market.”
