The head of Produce World, a vegetable operation which works across East Anglia, has been made an associate of the Royal Agricultural Society for his outstanding contribution to the agricultural industry.

Andrew Burgess said: “I am honoured to be receiving this award. I have worked in the agricultural industry for my entire working career and have done just about every job in farming.” The group describes itself as the biggest grower and supplier of vegetables in the UK.

Produce World focuses mainly on field scale veg production including potatoes, root vegetables, onions and brassicas and farms omore than 5,000 acres with an additional 5,000 in joint ventures up and down the east of the UK.

Mr Burgess, who appeared on BBC2’s Harvest programme last year, was presented with the award on February 11 during a ceremony at the House of Lords.

The selection was made by the Council for Awards of Royal Agricultural Societies, which recognises outstanding efforts in all aspects of practical farming, including research, economics, commercial and administration every year.

Mr Burgess sits on the LEAF Board of Trustees as well as various Soil Association committees. He is heavily involved in championing and helping to steer the future of environmentally sustainable and organic farming. Andrew has also previously been a member of the British Carrot Growers Association and the Horticulture Development Company.