*head start = 一歩先んずる、優位、アドバンテージ、

Many fields around the world, Dr Campbell observes, are suffering a growing burden of pests and disease, such as potato-cyst nematode. In the controlled environment of a vertical farm, from which both pests and diseases can be excluded, seed potatoes could be propagated more efficiently than in the big, bad outdoor world. This would give them a head start when they were planted out in fields.

Horticulture - Growing brighter The Economist August 31 2019 園芸の最先端技術

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