News Category: News

Agri-tech at the forefront of UK Government’s strategy for driving growth

June 23, 2025 No Comments

The UK Agri-Tech Centre has welcomed the UK Government’s recognition of agri-tech as a key ‘frontier’ industry within Advanced Manufacturing, outlined in its Industrial Strategy. It also recognises the sector’s role to deliver ambitious growth, enhance productivity, strengthen climate resistance and reduce the emissions from agriculture. A strategic vision The Strategy, published today (June 23) identifies the high-potential industries that develop and commercialise strategically important technologies and describes how the Government will support their development and growth. It highlights eight priority sectors, with Advanced Manufacturing – encompassing agri-tech – among them. Another key frontier industry is Digital & Technology, which includes Engineering Biology, covering precision breeding supported by a secondary legislation that passed in the House of Commons on May 13, 2025.   Fuelling innovation across the sector The Strategy is a ten-year plan committed to the promotion of free and fair trade through strong international partnerships and the reduction of regulatory burdens, speeding up the development of innovation, including via the Regulatory Innovation Office. It also acknowledges the importance of UK-wide expertise and commits to supporting a nationwide approach to targeting areas across the UK that support the sectors included in the Industrial Strategy. Alongside the Strategy’s publication, Defra has also confirmed its commitment to invest £200 million into the Farming Innovation Programme through to 2030, aiming to help unlock the potential of the agriculture sector.   The UK Agri-Tech Centre’s CEO, Hannah Senior said: “We welcome the UK Government’s recognition of agri-tech as a frontier industry to deliver on ambitions for growth, to boost productivity, build climate resilience and reduce emissions from agriculture. The UK Agri-Tech Centre has a successful record of supporting government ambitions in these areas and has already made an impact in driving company growth and industry adoption. Our nationwide capabilities and deep sector-wide expertise now have even greater potential to be maximised via this Strategy and we shall continue to work with Government, its agencies and the sector to bring it to fruition. We also welcome the Strategy’s ten-year scope: agri-tech requires forward thinking on behalf of innovators and investors, but there are long-term dividends for the economy and society from its successful creation and deployment. The Strategy’s commitment to promote free and fair trade is also critical: there are significant global production needs, but also opportunities. The UK Agri-Tech Centre has established connections in international markets and is therefore well placed to deliver on these ambitions. We also welcome the Government’s recognition of the role of a regulatory environment that is conducive to innovation. We are working with the Regulatory Innovation Office and are actively working on unlocking opportunities around regulation for automation & robotics and insect bioconversion. It is encouraging to note the Government’s recognition of the importance of nationwide expertise via strategic clusters; we are proud of our UK-wide suite of cutting-edge facilities and expertise to support the test, trial and adoption of agri-tech innovation – successfully delivering solutions through to commercialisation. Finally, we welcome Defra’s commitment on the back of the Strategy’s publication to allocate £200 million in FIP up to 2030 to support the homegrown adoption of technology that can make a real difference on farms in England and Wales, supporting productivity and resilience in the agricultural sector and the agri-tech companies whose products can enable this.”   To find out more about the Industry Strategy or how the UK Agri-Tech Centre is supporting the growth of the agriculture sector, please get in touch via [email protected]  

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Supporting the future innovators of the agricultural sector: Highlights from Initiate 2025

June 19, 2025 No Comments

The UK Agri-Tech Centre hosted its inaugural flagship event, Initiate, in Birmingham on June 17, bringing together a diverse range of start-ups, SMEs, corporates and industry professionals from across different sectors within the innovation ecosystem. Initiate acts as a launchpad to spark new ideas, fresh collaborations and meaningful conversations that could shape the future of agri-tech. The key objectives of the day were to put emphasis on being a cohesive and collaborative ecosystem, showcasing how, by coming together from our different areas of expertise, we can make a direct impact on the sector. Initiate is designed to create a network that ensures innovators across the ecosystem can get the right support at the right time, helping them transform and elevate their ideas into scalable solutions that address real-world challenges across the agri-food sector.   Morning panel sessions: Ideation to commercialisation The morning featured ‘In Conversation with’ panels – Seed, Germinate and Fertilise – sponsored by Innovate UK ICURe, Satellite Applications Catapult and Barclays. These sessions offered attendees the opportunity to hear directly from entrepreneurs and experts who have successfully navigated the journey from start-up to scale-up and entering the world of commercialisation. Key takeaways: Prepare to be agile in a constantly evolving landscape Getting the right support at the right time is crucial Collaboration is important but it is critical to choose the right strategic partners Ideas are only as strong as their execution Regulations, misalignment of funding cycles and working in isolation can be a challenge, so identifying timelines and resource requirements early makes a difference     Afternoon workshops: Opening the gate to open innovation Discussions continued into the afternoon, transitioning into workshops that focused on open innovation. These sessions encouraged collaborative discussions between academics, innovators and industry leaders to frame real challenges, propose solutions and explore how emerging technologies can be leveraged to drive progress. Panel 1: Entrepreneurial mindset – The key to making connections and driving mutually beneficial collaboration This session highlighted the need for focus. The advice given was to break down your technology offering into value-chain or operational silos, understand your data needs and deliver a compelling value proposition to your end-user. Panel 2: Gaining competitive advantage – Ensuring you have the right model to scale your business This session highlighted the vast array of research and connectivity that a scaling business needs to undertake before pressing forward to commercialisation. It emphasised the importance of research, validation and finding the right strategic partners. Panel 3: Strengthening the ecosystem: Supporting agri-tech Innovation from the ground up This workshop reinforced a clear takeaway – we are not short of great ideas, but it is essential to have the right infrastructure, including people, platforms and partnerships, to build an agri-tech system that is smarter, faster and well-connected.   Wendy Hewitson, UK Agri-Tech Centre’s External Engagement Manager, summed up the day saying: “Initiate truly lives up to its name. We’ve sparked a powerful network of networks and the next step for us is to ensure that we keep the momentum going. Watch this space for future updates!”   Looking ahead Initiate showcased how fertile the agriculture sector is. It highlighted the potential for cross-sector innovation, where ideas from other industries can be adapted, refined and applied within the sector. It aims to encourage fresh thinking, new value streams and enable companies to become more agile and adapt to fit future regulatory shifts, climatic changes and external pressures. The UK Agri-Tech Centre is a key player in supporting the future of the agriculture sector. Events like Initiate play a crucial role in building a resilient and collaborative ecosystem that supports the scale-up of innovative companies and technologies and we’re looking forward to hosting the next iteration.   If you are interested in learning about how you can be involved in the evolution of the agriculture sector or want to learn more about the Initiate event, get in touch via [email protected]

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ADOPT announces more funding and support to empower farmer innovation

June 17, 2025 No Comments

More information has been released about the ADOPT Fund, including confirmed funding rounds, timescales and how farmers can make the most of this opportunity. This initiative, part of the Farming Innovation Programme funded by Defra and delivered by Innovate UK, aims to support farmer-led research and development projects with significant funding and expert guidance. It offers farmers, growers and foresters in England the opportunity to trial and test practical solutions to on-farm productivity and sustainability challenges. The next round of funding has been announced and it offers farmers the chance to apply for additional support for their innovations – however applicants have until June 25, 2025, to apply for the Full Grant Round 1 of funding. What is ADOPT? ADOPT stands for Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies and is designed specifically for farmer-led innovation, helping farmers turn their ideas into practical trials. The fund provides two types of grants: Support Grants: Up to £2,500 to help develop ideas and bring in expert facilitators Full Project Grants: Between £50,000 and £100,000 for farmer-led projects Farmers can apply directly for a full grant or start with a support grant to develop their ideas first. Why ADOPT Matters ADOPT focuses on testing and trialing ideas or solutions that are either new or not yet widely used. It encourages farmer-led collaboration, working with other farmers, advisers, researchers and partners to significantly improve productivity, resilience and sustainability. The fund aims to demonstrate to other farmers, growers or foresters how these innovations can benefit them through on-farm trials with clear goals and measurable outcomes. What’s open now? Round 1 includes a full grant option for farmer-led, on-farm projects between £50,000 and £100,000, which closes June 25, 2025. Multiple rounds of both Support and Full Grants will run through the rest of 2025 and into early 2026. Facilitator Support Grant   Round Opens Closes Round 2 June 12, 2025 July 23, 2025 Round 3 July 24, 2025 September 2025* Round 4 September 2025 October 2025* Round 5 October 2025 November 2025*   Full ADOPT Grant Round Opens Closes Round 2 June 26, 2025 August 20, 2025 Round 3 August 21, 2025 October 2025* Round 4 December 2025 February 2026* Round 5 To be announced — *Dates subject to change You can apply for a Support Grant and Full Grant in the same or different rounds, depending on what works best for your timeline. Full details and updates can be found on the Farming Innovation Programme.  The ADOPT Support Hub is a consortium that brings together a diverse range of expertise and resources to support farmers throughout their ADOPT-funded projects. The consortium includes: UK Agri-Tech Centre: Provides cutting-edge agricultural technology and innovation to support on-farm trials and research ADAS: Offers expert advice and consultancy services in agriculture, helping farmers design and implement effective trials Innovative Farmers (part of Soil Association): Facilitates farmer-led research and collaboration, promoting sustainable and organic farming practices   The Support Hub offers free and fully-funded expert guidance and advice, helping farmers develop their project ideas, apply to ADOPT, find collaborators and share results to maximise impact. Thomas Slattery, Farming Innovation Support Manager at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, said: “The consortium is here to help you every step of the way and we want farmers to benefit from as much help and support as possible to benefit the industry. We offer one-to-one advice from real people, help with understanding the eligibility and can give feedback on draft applications. Help is available to make the process as smooth as possible and enable farmers to benefit from this support. The consortium can connect applicants to facilitators, collaborators and events, whilst offering support with webinars, FAQs and practical guidance.” Tips for applicants There are multiple rounds throughout the year and into 2026, so potential applicants have time to consider their options if they are not ready straight away. Applicants should save their answers outside of the system if they have already started an application, as any unsubmitted forms won’t carry over. Whilst you can go straight to apply for a full grant, there is an optional support grant available to help with the process, which often helps to build a stronger case. For more information about the ADOPT Fund and Support Hub visit https://farmpep.net/adopt/front or contact them on 0800 9878006 or [email protected]    

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Defra Farming Innovation Investor Partnership

June 2, 2025 No Comments

We know how challenging it can be for SMEs at a relatively late stage in the R&D process to secure funding. Meeting investors who have a track record in investing in start-ups at this point is critical. In response to this difficulty, Defra and Innovate UK have launched the second round of their highly successful Innovation Investor Partnership. From Monday, June 2, UK-registered SMEs developing agri-innovation will be able to apply for a share of up to five million pounds. According to the Investor Partnership rules, this “must be aligned with private investment from selected investor partners”. Participants could also get the opportunity to pitch their business to a large pool of engaged investors. The competition opens on Monday, June 2, 2025 and closes on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 11am. The competition aims to: Develop ambitious late-stage innovative solutions, technologies, systems or approaches that will make significant steps towards improving productivity, profitability, increasing sustainability and resilience; Help the agriculture sector move towards achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050; and Support the commercialisation of late-stage experimental development projects that are close to market and ultimately their adoption by farmers.   Proposals must demonstrate how the project will benefit farmers, growers or foresters in England. UPP, which operates out of the UK Agri-Tech Centre’s Midlands Hub was successful in the previous round of the Investor Partnership, securing over £350,000 in grant funding from Defra, and more than £700,000 in private investment. The UK Agri-Tech Centre’s Business Growth Manager and agri-tech investment specialist, Jos Lovegrove-Fielden said: “This is a real opportunity for businesses to meet a selected pool of engaged investors and in parallel, bring in grant funding if successful in securing investment. “The Investor Partnerships programme provides a unique vehicle to accelerate businesses from concept and start scaling. Many companies that we work with should be encouraged to apply. “If you are a business beginning to look at a late seed or Series A round, please consider looking.” For more information, click here. For a full list of participating investors, click here. A webinar for interested SMEs will take place on Thursday, June 5, at 11am: Register now.   If you would like to know more about this Farming Innovation Investor Partnership or any other current funding opportunities, please get in touch via [email protected]  

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Memorandum of Understanding agreed between the UK Agri-Tech Centre and The Spanish National Research Council

May 21, 2025 No Comments

The UK Agri-Tech Centre is delighted to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), through its Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Salamanca (IRNASA-CSIC), which will help to advance agri-tech innovations and provides a framework for bilateral collaborations that address global agricultural challenges. The MOU underscores the two organisations’ mutual dedication to promoting agri-tech development, facilitating collaboration and driving forward industry advancement. Both the UK Agri-Tech Centre and the CSIC bring unique strengths to the collaboration projects, leveraging the UK’s expertise that includes precision agriculture, climate-smart technologies and animal health, alongside Spain’s innovations in agroforestry systems, sustainable inputs and renewable energy applications. The vision is to bolster business growth, innovation, research and collaboration in the agri-tech sector—solidifying a shared commitment to addressing global agricultural challenges and enhancing sustainability through joint initiatives. Key areas of collaboration include: Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Resilience Precision Agriculture Digital Agriculture Agri-Food Innovation Knowledge Exchange   Linsey Cresswell, Head of Strategic Partnerships and International at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, said: “This Memorandum of Understanding represents a significant step forward in fostering international collaboration to drive meaningful innovation in agri-tech. Together, we aim to build financially viable, resilient and sustainable agricultural systems to address the challenges of climate change and food security.” Mar Siles Lucas, Director of IRNASA-CSIC, said: “This partnership with the UK Agri-Tech Centre demonstrates our shared vision of advancing scientific and technological research to benefit society and the environment. By working together, we can achieve impactful results for both nations and beyond.” Shona Brown, Senior Trade and Investment Adviser at the British Embassy, Madrid, said: “I am delighted to see that the close collaboration between Irnasa-CSIC and the British Embassy in Madrid has contributed to the signing of an MOU which underlines commitment to work closely with the UK Agri-Tech Centre and develop mutually beneficial R&D and commercial opportunities between the UK and Spain.” This closer way of working can only bring positives and encourage solutions to the challenges the agricultural industry is facing, especially within the current climate. It also supports market entry strategies for businesses in both countries and further strengthens the agri-tech sectors in the UK and Spain.     For further information about this Memorandum of Understanding, please contact [email protected] or visit www.ukagritechcentre.com to find out more about the work the UK Agri-Tech Centre does.  

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Experts explore new marine protein to enhance poultry feed

May 2, 2025 No Comments

A group of industry professionals is exploring a fishmeal alternative derived from marine protein sources to evaluate potential benefits for gut health and growth performance in meat chickens. The Innovate UK initiative, ‘Farmed Marine Proteins for Poultry Feed’, assessed the viability of using Artemeal – a protein product made from artemia – as a novel replacement for fishmeal in the diets of young broilers. The aim was to monitor health outcomes, optimise growth and reduce environmental impact. Aquanzo Ltd, the project’s lead partner, has collaborated with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and the UK Agri-Tech Centre to introduce a sustainable alternative to traditional fishmeal, offering a long-term solution to the current marine protein ingredient crisis. Traditionally, marine ingredients, in the form of fishmeal, are considered among the most nutrient-rich feed options for young terrestrial animals (like chicks and weanling piglets) and aquaculture species. However, the environmental toll of harvesting wild marine resources is significant, involving substantial greenhouse gas emissions from long distance transport and a delicate reliance on ecosystems already under pressure from climate change. Additionally, as demand for poultry and animal feed has soared in recent decades, marine ingredient harvests have remained relatively stagnant over the past 40 years. This imbalance has driven up costs and pushed fishmeal out of many poultry diets due to economic constraints. Rather than merely identifying substitutes, Aquanzo has taken a different approach by developing technology to cultivate artemia – a marine zooplankton – at scale on land. This sustainable production system transforms artemia into a marine protein ingredient fit for animal feed.     What are the benefits? Farming artemia offers a long-term solution to the over-exploitation and use of wild marine protein ingredients. It enables the production of feed that maintains the nutritional advantages of fishmeal without the environmental downsides of ocean harvesting. The process also supports the UK’s circular economy by utilising agricultural byproducts as a feedstock to grow artemia. For feed manufacturers, this means access to a consistent, customisable and high-quality ingredient with lower emissions compared to harvested marine proteins. This level of quality control and sustainability is not achievable through traditional marine sourcing. Aquanzo has conducted a full life cycle assessment (LCA) of Artemeal to support ongoing improvements in sustainable production. Dissemination and knowledge exchange are strong components of this project through engagement with an expert advisory panel and wider stakeholders, to ensure the project aligns with the industry’s technical, environmental and commercial needs. The successful demonstration of Artemeal in starter broiler feed (replacing fishmeal) opened the way to shaping a new sector in the animal feed industry. Alongside other novel protein sources like insect meal and single-cell proteins, farmed marine proteins will support the development of a strong and resilient livestock feed industry across the UK and beyond. What are the impacts? The project will deliver: Farming marine protein has the potential to revolutionise the animal feed sector by combining the nutritional value, taste and energy of marine ingredients, with the scalability and controllable and sustainable precision platforms of farming. Aquanzo estimates that future industrial-scale Artemeal production could yield thousands of tonnes annually. Within five years, this would be enough to supply over 10% of all UK poultry starter diets (for chicks), feeding more than 100m birds. Aquanzo’s broader mission is to deliver Zero Ocean Impact protein alternatives to feed manufacturers, farmers and consumers. This could provide significant productivity and health benefits for farmed animals and improve protein production sustainability by optimising genetics, feedstocks and artemia production systems. Remi Gratacap, CEO of Aquanzo, said: “This project came together thanks to an amazing team who made it all run smoothly. We showed that fishmeal can successfully be upgraded with locally farmed marine ingredients in chick diets, proving a sustainable long-term solution to harvesting wild resources.” Lee Cocker, Project Manager at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, added: “This has been an important and fascinating project and I am extremely proud to have been part of a team that has made such positive advances. The future is bright for Artemeal.” Jos Houdijk and Marwa Hussein, researchers at SRUC, commented: “It was great to observe that birds fed Artemeal during the first days of life outperformed those fed fishmeal and that this carried through to being heavier at harvest. These benefits concurred with beneficial impacts on gut microbiome and immune organs, suggesting a great future of Artemeal for robust, resilient poultry production.”     If you want to learn more about the Farmed Marine Proteins for Poultry Feed initiative, get in touch via [email protected]

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UK-India collaboration grows through new Agri-Tech Accelerator programme

May 1, 2025 No Comments

India’s agricultural sector plays a pivotal role on the global stage, with 220 million hectares of cropped land and nearly half of the nation’s workforce employed in agriculture. Between 2023–2024 alone, the country’s agri-exports reached $53 billion, emphasising the importance of food security and economic resilience. Yet, as India strives to modernise and boost productivity, there are clear opportunities for innovative agri-tech solutions. The UK Agri-Tech Centre recently delivered a high-impact UK–India Agri-Tech Accelerator, designed to deepen collaboration between these two nations at the forefront of agricultural innovation. In collaboration with the UK Government, the accelerator was developed to foster links between UK and India’s agri-tech ecosystems, to support sustainable agriculture, strengthen trade and R&D links, and facilitate the commercialisation of cutting-edge technologies tailored to India’s needs. The programme identified key areas of opportunity within the agricultural landscape, with a strategic focus on precision technologies to support climate-resilient crop production. Four key themes were prioritised: · Precision breeding · Crop surveillance technologies · Controlled environment agriculture and precision application systems · Data-driven decision-making tools Five pioneering UK agri-tech businesses were selected to take part in the accelerator, each offering innovative solutions aligned with India’s agricultural priorities: Mutus-Tech – Specialising in AI-driven pest management and fertiliser optimisation. Green CropTech – Delivering nanotechnology-based biostimulants for enhanced crop protection. AgriSound – Deploying bioacoustic sensors to monitor pollination in real time. LinearWorks – Harnessing hyperspectral imaging and drone technology for advanced crop monitoring. LettUs Grow – Innovating in aeroponics for controlled environment farming and yield optimisation. Dr Jenna Ross OBE, Senior International Business Development Manager at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, said: “The aim of the UK–India Agri-Tech Accelerator programme was to establish a network of agri-technology experts, innovators and end users from the UK and India, to create on-going opportunities for agri-tech exchange and partnership, boosting food security and unlocking growth for UK and India based agri-tech businesses. Phase one of the accelerator involved selecting five UK businesses to attend a weeklong curated programme, where they had the opportunity to gain an immersive understanding of India’s agricultural ecosystem, accelerating the opportunity for collaboration and to bring their products to market in India”. A week of immersive engagement The delegation embarked on a weeklong programme across Delhi, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Through a combination of field visits and workshops, the UK businesses were immersed in India’s diverse agricultural ecosystems, meeting researchers, incubators, investors and government representatives. Each city offered unique insights into regional agricultural priorities and innovation hubs, enabling participating businesses to engage directly with potential partners and stakeholders. Starting in Delhi, the group participated in an ideation and collaboration workshop which included representatives from Government (Indian Council of Agricultural Research ICAR, Ministry of Agriculture), research centres (IARI), incubators (Pusa Krishi), VCs (Think Ag) as well as start-ups and corporates. This workshop facilitated connections with Indian investors and venture capitalists, laying the groundwork for future funding opportunities and partnerships. In Hyderabad, the group visited International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT), a research centre of the CGIAR consortium (a global partnership uniting international organisations engaged in research about food security), conducting research to develop and improve dryland farming and agri-food systems to address the challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and environmental degradation in the drylands of Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The five companies also participated in an ideation and collaboration workshop with key stakeholders in the region including agri incubators of ICAR, ICRISAT and start-ups. These interactions opened up opportunities for co-development and testing of new technologies in real-world settings. A workshop in Bengaluru identified state level challenges and opportunities for UK-India agri-tech collaborations and included stakeholders from across industry and academia. The delegation travelled to the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, and participated in a round table discussion where strategic areas for collaboration were identified. They then visited the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), an initiative supported by the Department of Biotechnology, which catalyses cutting-edge research and innovation in the life sciences. These engagements helped establish areas for tech testing and validation, crucial for adapting UK technologies to the Indian market. Navneeta Katyan, Co-Founder & CEO of Green CropTech, said: “Overall, the UK-India Agri-Tech Accelerator Programme has enabled us to explore collaborative opportunities, validate our product-market fit in India, and make strategic adjustments to our business plan to support a ‘soft landing’ in the Indian market.” The visits and workshops provided a valuable platform for two-way knowledge exchange with the UK companies showcasing their technologies, and Indian stakeholders sharing potential synergies and real-world challenges, all helping shape future collaborative opportunities. The appetite for collaboration was clear, not only from stakeholders, but from Indian agri-tech innovators keen to explore opportunities in the UK as well. This two-way potential is an exciting next chapter in the UK–India agri-tech journey. Swati Saxena, Senior Science & Technology Officer at the UK Science & Technology Network, British High Commission, Delhi, said: “The UK to India Agri-tech Accelerator visit programme showcased the strength of UK agri-tech innovations and fostered meaningful collaborations with India’s vibrant agri-innovation ecosystem. The UK businesses gained key market insights and identified strategic partners, while Indian start-ups and incubators showed strong interest in collaborating – highlighting a shared drive for sustainable agri innovation.” This programme has laid a strong foundation for future collaborations, reinforcing the shared commitment of both nations to leverage technology for a more resilient and sustainable future. With continued engagement and investment, this initiative promises to drive game-changing innovation, benefiting farmers, agri-tech businesses and wider stakeholders across both countries. If you would like to learn more about the work being done in the agri-food sector both domestically and overseas, get in touch via [email protected]

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New farmer-led innovation fund launching – Applications now open

April 15, 2025 No Comments

Farmers, growers and foresters in England can now apply for a new round of funding to help trial and test practical solutions to real on-farm challenges, with fully funded, free support from the ADOPT Support Hub. The ADOPT Fund – funded by DEFRA and delivered by Innovate UK – is designed to back farmer-led innovation. Whether it’s trialling a new technology or testing a change in practice, ADOPT offers the funding and support to make it happen. What’s on offer? There are two types of grants available: Support grants (up to £2,500): These help applicants explore their idea and work with a project facilitator to shape a strong proposal. Full grants (up to £100,000): To support farmer-led, collaborative research and innovation projects over 6 months to 24 months. Why this matters The ADOPT Fund is different from previous innovation funding. It’s farmer-led, but collaborative – bringing in others like advisers, researchers, tech providers and other like-minded farmers to help turn your idea into something ready to be adopted more widely in the agricultural community. It’s also focused on practical impact, not just theory. That means funding is aimed at real-world challenges, everyday technology, practices and ideas that aren’t yet widely adopted but could make a difference. You’re not expected to go it alone We understand that most farmers haven’t applied for this kind of funding before. That’s why the ADOPT Support Hub is launching alongside the fund. The Support Hub is fully funded and free to use, providing you with the guidance, resources and connections you need at every step. The Support Hub is here to help you: Whether you’re just exploring an idea or ready to apply, the Support Hub provides the guidance, resources and connections to support you at every step. What is a Project Facilitator? All projects applying for ADOPT competitions must include a Project Facilitator to support project delivery and management. Project facilitators are independent experts who play a required and central role in all ADOPT-funded projects. They bring experience in farmer-led research, Innovate UK grant processes and project management. The ADOPT Support Hub can guide you on how to connect with a suitable registered facilitator – or help you understand how to work with someone you already know, as long as they meet the criteria. We want to hear from you We’re actively encouraging applications across the full spectrum of farming types, regions and communities. Whether you’re a grower, forester, livestock farmer, arable producer or part of a local farming group – we want to hear your ideas, challenges and opportunities. If you’ve got a hunch that something could be improved on-farm, this is your chance to try it with support.     Interested in becoming a Project Facilitator? For information, visit the Facilitator FAQ’s on the Business Connect site.

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