A feasibility study of mechanized hazelnut harvesting in the UK

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This project will gather all the necessary information to assess the feasibility of mechanical harvesting of hazelnuts in the UK. The primary objective being to enable harvesting in a more climatically resilient ecosystem, such as harvesting with significant grass or stubble cover. This would permit hazelnuts to be produced in a commercially viable agroforestry system alongside other productive crops. Giving farmers a more diversified income stream without requiring excessive chemical inputs.By visiting European leaders in hazelnut production we aim to capture detailed information on current commercial nut farm practice, how existing machinery performs and how wholesalers are supplying current demand.With this knowledge gathered several tests will be completed in the UK creating a wide range of representative conditions for a proof of concept machine to be assessed.