Our Meet the Team series profiles the individuals who make up the UK Agri-Tech Centre, offering you a glimpse into their stories. Up next is Dr Ruth Bastow, our Innovation Director.
For Ruth, evidence-based approaches to innovation are key for the success of the sector.
Tell us about yourself. What has inspired you to work in the agri-tech sector?
I grew up on a mixed farm in South Wales and went on to study genetics at Sheffield before completing a PhD in plant biology from Warwick, focusing on circadian rhythms in plants. I have always been amazed and intrigued by the natural world and my early studies sparked a lifelong interest in biology, R&D and innovation.
My career journey led me to various roles in science strategy and policy, where I worked alongside government departments in the UK and abroad and with international bodies including FAO. These experiences provide me with invaluable insights and clearly illustrated the central role of agriculture in the life of everyone on the planet – so confirming to me this was the sector I wanted to be involved in.
How did you get to where you are today?
Throughout my career, I’ve been a sponge for knowledge, constantly finding opportunities to learn and grown from those around me. From my role as Executive Director at the Global Plant Council to my current position as Innovation Director at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, I’ve been really driven by a desire to make a real-world impact.
Working alongside passionate individuals in the sector has been truly inspirational. We’ve come together as the UK Agri-Tech Centre to build an innovation ecosystem that harnesses our collective expertise across various areas such as animal and crop health, sustainability, agronomy, engineering, and more. We strengthen connections between research, business and government to develop and accelerate innovative solutions that overcomes the agri-industry’s most critical challenges.
Innovate UK and DEFRA will soon launch a new Nutrient Management innovation grant. Why is this topic important for modern day food production?
Nutrient management is crucial for many reasons. Fertiliser prices have skyrocketed in recent years, increasing input costs and reducing margins for farmers and growers. There’s also a growing focus on achieving net-zero and minimising environmental impact which means we need to look for alternative ways to grow our crops including precision application and replacements for synthetic fertiliser.
We need to explore novel approaches to nutrient management, such as using sensors, AI, gene editing and engineering biology approaches to optimise plant nutrition while minimising environmental impact. Closing loops in nutrient cycles and finding ways to turn waste into valuable inputs will be essential for sustainable agriculture in the future.
If you have an innovation that could respond to challenges in nutrient management, then get in touch with the UK Agri-Tech Centre about the upcoming Farming Innovation Programme – Farming Futures R&D grant that will focus on Nutrient Management. Our expertise and services in bid writing support, project management, consortia building, cutting edge R&D facilities and real farms to trial on will help you to achieve rapid and impactful change.
What does being an Innovation Director involve?
As Innovation Director, my role is about harnessing the collective knowledge and passion within our organisation to drive real-world solutions. We are working with industry to co-develop game-changing innovations that will shape the future of agriculture.
What excites me most is the opportunity to have both a creative and tangible impact. We’re not just generating ideas; we’re solving real-world problems that affect everyone’s lives, from climate change and environmental sustainability to labour issues and disease mitigation.
What excites you about working at the UK Agri-Tech Centre?
At the UK Agri-Tech Centre, we have the critical mass and strategic leadership to make a significant impact on the agricultural sector. We’re tackling the complexity and fragmentation of the industry by providing a holistic, evidence-based approach to innovation.
Agriculture isn’t just about production and yield; it’s about supporting family-run businesses, communities, and ecosystems. With our very diverse expertise, we are able to address challenges at every level, from individual farms to entire sectors.