New inventions and technologies to increase profits, boost food
production and help protect nature have been handed a major cash
injection, the government has announced today.
From robots carrying out delicate fruit picking, to health
monitors for cows and sheep, right through to variable irrigation
systems to maximise water usage on crops – these grants support
the development of wide-range projects and products which will
help a large number of farmers.
The three special funds, worth a combined £45.6 million, will
support multiple projects across the research and development
(R&D) lifecycle, from early-stage concepts to on-farm trials.
They will help bring cutting-edge technologies into real-world
use with a particular focus on reducing on-farm emissions and
capitalising on new opportunities made possible by the Precision
Breeding Act, which could supercharge food production by increase
crop yields, reduce pesticides and enhance disease
resistance.
These funds will help to strengthen food security, increase
farmers' profits and protect nature as part of the government's
Plan for Change.
Farming Minister
said:
This government is serious about delivering its Plan for
Change.
That is why I'm delighted to see money getting out the door to
British farmers. This £45m will support them with technology to
boost food production, profits and the rural economy.
From 28 April, applications will open for the new Accelerating
Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) competition,
which will commit up to £20.6 million of funding in 25/26. This
grant will support farmers looking to test new technologies on
their own farms and bridge the gap between innovation and
real-world application.
Farmers can access tailored advice and apply for a £2,500 support
grant at the ADOPT Support
Hub to help them through the application and trial
process.
From 5 May, two further competitions will open under the Farming
Innovation Programme (FIP):
-
The first £12.5 million to support collaborative research
into ways to reduce on-farm emissions, helping farms to
become more sustainable and climate-resilient.
-
The second £12.5 million competition will fund R&D using
precision-bred crops to improve yield, reduce chemical inputs
and enhance disease resistance. This builds on the new
opportunities enabled by the Genetic Technology (Precision
Breeding) Act 2023.
FIP, Defra's flagship innovation programme, is delivered by
Innovate UK, as part of UKRI, and forms part of the government's
wider commitment to food production and security, farm
productivity and nature.
