Norfolk's "innovative approach to food production" was praised by a government minister after he visited growers at the cutting edge of agricultural technology.

Environment secretary Steve Barclay toured the Broadland Food Innovation Centre, at the Food Enterprise Park in Easton, outside Norwich.

The visit included Fischer Farms’ state-of-the-art 25,000sqm vertical farm, one of the largest in the world, using hydroponic growing techniques to grow leafy salads and herbs on stacked trays.

Mr Barclay also saw Club Cultured’s new fermentation facility, which produces fermented and pickled products in Norfolk after the firm relocated its operation from London last year.

He said: “Norfolk’s innovative approach to food production goes back centuries and it was clear from my visit that the county remains at the forefront of this innovation today.

"From fermented foods to salad grown in vertical farms, it was great to witness first-hand the ingenuity and dedication of Norfolk businesses who are finding new and sustainable ways to produce home-grown food and drink."

Tristan Fischer, founder and chief executive of Fischer Farms, said he welcomed the opportunity to discuss the role of vertical farming as the agricultural sector "moves towards a more sustainable and productive future".

His company's four-acre site has the capacity to supply 6.5 tonnes of salad, leafy herbs and other fresh produce to UK retailers every day, without pesticides or herbicides, and using significantly less water and land than traditional farming methods.

"The Norfolk area is a real hub for agricultural innovation, and we are extremely proud to be a part of this movement," he said.

"The Norwich Food Enterprise Park is a game-changer for businesses like ours and is something that should be replicated in other areas of the UK."

Also joining the visit were senior Norfolk County Council figures including leader Kay Mason Billig, who said: “When people think of Norfolk, beautiful farmland is often among the first images that comes to mind, but they may not realise the same county is the original home of innovative, technologically-driven new ways of growing and processing those crops.

"Our county is one of the leading agri-food locations in the country, and it’s been a privilege to help show the secretary of state just how many lessons the rest of the UK could learn from our businesses here in Norfolk."