Cutting-edge farming projects aiming to boost food production, move towards net zero and create a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector will benefit from a share of a £30m government funding boost.
Projects to benefit from the funding boost include genetics research projects which could reduce methane emissions in cattle by 17%, and produce a reliable UK-grown protein source that can replace soya in human foods; investigations into the use of drones and artificial intelligence to inspect and monitor animals to enable farmers to take action should animals go missing or need attention; and efforts to develop biopesticides using fungal strains that help tackle pests in wheat crops, and to pin-point the genetics for creating slug resistant wheat
More than 50 successful projects will be awarded with funding from today and, in addition, a further £12.5 million has been made available to fund projects delivering a more productive, resilient and sustainable agricultural sector.
The funding is all part of the Farming Innovation Programme which is run in partnership with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and delivered by Innovate UK, which is making £270 million in grants available before the end of the agricultural transition to fund research and development projects to help farmers and growers produce food more sustainably.
Therese Coffey, secretary of state for agriculture, said: “Farmers are always forward-looking, and innovation is key to driving forward a resilient, productive and sustainable agriculture sector that puts food on our tables whilst protecting and restoring the environment.
“Alongside our new farming schemes, these grants will help to support farmers and pave the way for a technological transformation that will help produce food sustainably for generations to come.”
Executive director of healthy living and agriculture of Innovate UK, Katrina Hayter, said: “The competitions once again demonstrate the sheer breadth and quality of innovation within the UK agri-food space. We’re proud to be able to help deliver these funding and partnership opportunities to the sector, bringing together farmers, growers, technologists and researchers in a common aim of making the UK food system more sustainable and resilient.
“Whether improving existing production or introducing novel foods and techniques, the winners have all risen to the innovation challenge and we look forward to supporting their development further.”
This comes following the package of support announced at this month’s Farm to Fork Summit, including investment into precision breeding following royal assent for the Genetic Technology (precision Breeding) Act.
‘On-Farm Environmental Resilience’ competition
The new £12.5 million competition provides the opportunity for farmers and growers to apply for up to £1 million to complete projects focused on new technology and innovative farming methods. The competition is made up of two strands.
Strand one focuses on collaborative feasibility studies with project costs between £200,000 and £500,000 and lasting between 12 and 24 months. These feasibility studies will evaluate emerging solutions to develop innovations in agriculture, forestry and horticulture. Details for the feasibility strand can be found here.
Meanwhile, strand two will focus on collaborative industrial research projects with costs between £500,000-£1 million lasting between 24 and 36 months (60 months for breeding projects). Successful industrial research projects will progress emerging solutions to new products, processes and services within the sector. Details for the industrial research strand can be found here.
UK registered businesses will be able to apply until Wednesday July 19, 2023.
