SEEDA helps turn yellow corn green

Green is the new yellow for Barfoots of Botley, Europes largest producer and packer of fresh sweetcorn products, after receiving 750,000 of funding from the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).

SEEDA, through the Rural Development Programme for England, helped the West Sussex-based producer purchase a 3.7m Energy Anaerobic Digestion Plant that sustainably manages waste generated from the production of sweetcorn. The plant has safeguard 81 jobs, created 24 jobs and will generate enough electricity to power 2,000 homes throughout the area every year.

Each year, the plant is expected to reduce waste by 28,000 tonnes, produce 8,000 megawatts of electricity and capture and reuse four million gallons on water, which will be used to irrigate growing crops.

Paul Lovejoy, Executive Director for Strategy at SEEDA, says: This is a fine example of a win-win situation. The plant is sustainable in every sense as it delivers economic, environmental and social benefits. Jobs have been created and safeguarded; waste can now be successfully fed back into the ground to feed crops, and the production of electricity for homes throughout West Sussex supports the South Easts low carbon targets.

The bio-gas produced from the fermentation of the sweetcorn waste is converted into electricity. The resulting fermented material can then be returned to the land as a fertiliser and soil conditioner reducing the use of artificial fertilizers.

Peter Barfoot, Chairman of Barfoots of Botley, comments: As one of the first farms in the UK to adopt this technology we believe that the anaerobic digestion plant will change the shape of our business. It will increase profitability and reduce wastage, making it a key factor in the future of farming. Were pleased to have been supported by SEEDA and look forward to seeing the positive impact the plant will undoubtedly generate.

For more information please visit www.seeda.co.uk or www.barfoots.co.uk.

Anaerobic digestion is a series of processes in which microorganisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen. It can be used for industrial or domestic purposes to manage waste and/or to release energy.

As part of an integrated waste management system, anaerobic digestion reduces the emission of landfill gas into the atmosphere by controlled release and capture.

Anaerobic digestion is increasingly being considered as a renewable energy source because the process produces a methane and carbon dioxide rich biogas suitable for energy production, helping to replace fossil fuels. The nutrient-rich digestate which is produced as a by-product can also be used as fertilizer.

SEEDA, the South East England Development Agency, is the Government-funded agency responsible for the sustainable economic development of the South East of England the driving force of the UKs economy. Through supporting businesses, encouraging innovation, developing skills and engaging with public and private partners, we aim to create a successful, sustainable future for the region.

SEEDAs support helped deliver the following over the period 2009-2010:

• Over 10,000 jobs created or safeguarded, including 7,000 jobs created through inward investment work
• 65 inward investment successes
• Some 52,000 businesses were supported to improve performance
• Over 5,700 new businesses created and demonstrating growth
• Nearly 16,000 people assisted to improve their skills and over 15,000 assisted to gain employment