Waste being reduced by ‘green’ technology

With more than 90% of the EU’s river basins affected by nitrate and phosphorous pollution, the European Commission has recommended use of technological advances that can slash waste and improve productivity.

Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik has told agricultural industry and policy leaders that “green” technologies can significantly improve resource efficiency for finite natural resources like the phosphorus in fertiliser, an essential crop nutrient but also a leading water pollutant, mainly due to agricultural runoff.

One useful technological aid is a mobile optical sensor developed by the Yara global fertiliser company, which can measure crop nitrogen needs.