News & Insights Archive

How UK agri-tech businesses can scale globally: Lessons from Australasia

March 17, 2026 No Comments

Growing an agri-tech business overseas takes more than a strong product. It requires market insight, trusted partnerships and the ability to demonstrate value in unfamiliar farming systems. On day four of our UK Agri-Tech Centre Growth Week, we explored what it takes to enter and succeed in international markets, focusing on Australia and New Zealand. Drawing on insights from AgriTech New Zealand, Agnition Ventures, UK Government trade teams and real-world experiences from UK agri-tech businesses, we unpacked how to navigate new ecosystems, build credibility and accelerate adoption abroad. We have recently launched the Global Growth Accelerator (GGA), a new programme designed to give UK businesses exactly this kind of support. Registrations are now open for businesses interested in getting involved in New Zealand’s dairy and livestock systems. Start with deep market understanding Both Australia and New Zealand present major opportunities for UK agri‑tech: sophisticated farming systems, ambitious sustainability goals and high demand for practical, scalable innovation. But as our speakers emphasised, they are not the same as the UK. In New Zealand, agriculture is pasture-based, seasonal and subsidy-free. Farmers are commercially driven and highly pragmatic. As Wilson Wang of Agnition Ventures explained, “farmers often expect a 3:1 return on investment and they want proof.” In Australia, vast distances and state-level regulatory differences mean market entry requires careful targeting. As AgriTech NZ’s Brendan O’Connell noted, “if it can grow on the planet, it can grow in New Zealand, but you still need to understand the local system you’re entering.” What this means for UK innovators Don’t assume your home-market use case translates directly Shape your proposition to local farming methods, climatic conditions and regulations Expect to provide clear ROI, verified locally Build extra time into your plan Work through trusted local partners One message came through repeatedly: credibility flows through trusted networks. Farmers in Australasia rely heavily on advisers, co-operatives and industry bodies. Agnition Ventures (Ravensdown’s innovation arm) outlined how their Farm Innovation Network acts as a bridge between innovators and early-adopter farmers, providing real-world trials, feedback loops and in-market validation. This type of local partnership is invaluable for reducing risk and accelerating trust. UK Government teams in Australia and New Zealand also play a major role, from connecting innovators with regulators to providing diplomatic platforms for launches, networking and profile-building. Leverage the networks that already exist: farmer groups, co-operatives, innovation hubs, research organisations and UK trade specialists. They open doors that cold outreach never will. Demonstrate value in real farming conditions Whether it’s emissions reduction, productivity gains, water management or animal health, Australasia’s priorities mirror global trends, but the solutions must prove themselves locally. Our speakers were clear: field trial data is the currency that unlocks adoption. UK companies shared this first-hand from experience with a past project in Bahrain with relevance to the Australasia market: Ostara retrofitted a greenhouse with advanced environmental and irrigation automation, demonstrating how precision control reduces water use while boosting yields. PolySolar installed flexible solar panels on polytunnels, powering on-farm automation while increasing crop productivity — a critical gain in high-temperature climates. Zayndu deployed its seed-priming system to accelerate germination and improve crop resilience, then brought farmers in to see the results firsthand. These examples show the same pattern: test, trial, demonstrate — then scale. Key takeaways for global scaling Adapt your value proposition to local farming systems, economics and regulations Build credibility through partners Prove your impact with in‑market trials and real‑world data Be patient and realistic Use the support available from the UK Agri-Tech Centre, Innovate UK and UK Government teams How the UK Agri-Tech Centre helps you go global To help UK agri-tech businesses build this evidence and enter new markets with confidence, we’ve launched the Global Growth Accelerator (GGA). Applications are now open for our New Zealand programme, built to fast-track technologies for dairy and livestock systems by validating them in New Zealand’s innovation-driven farming ecosystem. Delivered with Agnition Ventures (Ravensdown) and AgriTech NZ, the programme provides structured, in‑market support including: early adopter farms farmer feedback loops third‑party validation access to strategic partners and investors We’re seeking technologies that address: biosecurity, animal health and traceability farm system productivity climate volatility, drought and water security or environmental compliance and nutrient efficiency. Are you ready to go global with your agri-tech innovation? Get in touch today at [email protected]. Find out more and apply to GGA now.

What will help agri-tech innovators accelerate the pathway to a sustainable and resilient agri-food sector?

March 11, 2026 No Comments

Agriculture sits at the centre of major climate and economic pressures. Farmers are being asked to produce more with fewer emissions, while innovators race to develop technologies that can unlock a more resilient, productive and climate-positive future. The challenge is not a lack of ideas, but how to scale the right ones in real farm systems, supply chains and regulatory environments. FASTA exists to help close that gap. Delivered by the UK Agri-Tech Centre in partnership with the Carbon Trust, FASTA supports agri-tech solutions that enable Net Zero agriculture. Its first focus is Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV), the insight needed to reward improvement, direct investment and give the sector confidence in its climate progress. The recent FASTA launch event brought together the first cohort of MRV innovators with industry partners, retailers, banks, insurers and producers. The centrepiece of the event was a panel discussion featuring Joseph McDonnell from IGD, Megan Powell from ASDA and Carolien Samson from Oxbury Bank, chaired by Paddy Tarbuck from the UK Agri-Tech Centre. Together, they offered a candid view of what is slowing progress, what is gaining momentum and where collaboration should be prioritised. Below is a distilled, action-ready summary of the key insights from the panel for agri-tech businesses and innovators. The big challenges and the opportunities behind them The panel was clear: MRV is not failing, it is evolving. And like any emerging market, there are practical challenges that innovators now have a real opportunity to solve. While the need for better measurement has never been greater, today’s MRV tools are often too costly, fragmented or inconsistent to scale effectively. But these barriers are also the areas where innovation can have the biggest impact. MRV needs to be: Capable of operating at scale Simple and low-burden for farmers Deliver outputs that regulators and finance can trust Produced in formats that can feed decision-making models and risk assessments Crucially, these gaps are not dead ends — they are design briefs for the next wave of agri-tech innovation. What is holding back MRV adoption? Cost and risk in the supply chain For retailers and processors, MRV remains expensive, especially in sectors such as beef, where the supply chain is highly fragmented.  Costs risk being passed to consumers Retailers fear duplication of effort Animals often move through several farms, complicating data capture Data infrastructure is not fit for purpose Speakers highlighted national gaps, including: Lack of harmonised greenhouse gas accounting Inconsistent data formats Little interoperability between systems Unclear technical regulations for carbon removals Trust and data ownership Farmers increasingly see their data as a commodity. Yet today: Value often flows elsewhere Data is repeatedly requested in different formats Farmers fear data could be used against them Slow feedback loops for farmers Farmers often wait a year or more for the impact of a change to show. This delays learning and slows uptake of new practices. Real-time or in-season insights into soil condition, crop performance, or input optimisation were identified as essential for behavioural change. What buyers need from agri-tech innovators FASTA innovators raised an important question: How can startups succeed commercially in a market that encourages collaboration across retailers, banks and supply chain partners? With multiple potential buyers and precompetitive expectations, how do young companies navigate this and still build a viable long-term business? Clear value propositions for the right buyer Procurement, risk and operations teams often hold the budget, not sustainability teams. Action: Identify the budget holder early and tailor your pitch to their specific operational or financial pressures. Evidence of return on investment — fast Farmers want solutions that improve yield, reduce inputs or increase resilience. Supply chain partners want consistent MRV data. Action: Innovators should speak in terms of profitability and practicality, not just sustainability. Certainty and longevity Startups need clarity on emerging standards and stability from supply chain partners. Action: Show commitment to long-term alignment by mapping how your solution fits current and future standards. Build for real farm workflows, not idealised ones The most adoptable technologies are those that slot into existing routines with minimal effort. Action: Co-design with farmers and test early, reduce data entry and make your solution save time from day one. Design for interoperability from the start Closed systems slow adoption and frustrate both farmers and enterprise buyers. Action: build open APIs, align with emerging standards and integrate with common farm management platforms to reduce friction for farmers and supply chains. Map the buyer journey clearly Large organisations require clear business cases. Action: understand procurement cycles, budget triggers and the commercial pain point your solution solves. FASTA’s role is to help them navigate this complexity and connect with decision-makers who can provide certainty. Insights from the panel: What needs to happen next A single national vision for MRV Speakers called for shared technical frameworks, shared data infrastructure and a coordinated approach to a national baseline. Fragmentation is currently slowing everything. Blended finance models Several panellists also highlighted the need for a clearer public and private finance model to support national-scale progress. The message to innovators was clear: solutions that quantify impact, unlock investment and show a credible return will gain traction faster. Public funding can help de-risk early adoption, but long-term scaling will depend on private investors seeing genuine commercial value. Paying farmers for data A clear consensus emerged: Farmers must be fairly compensated for the data that drives value elsewhere. Collaboration across the supply chain Shared farmers mean shared data needs, shared standards and shared responsibility for reducing friction. MRV must support farm businesses The defining question for any MRV tool: Does it improve farm profitability? Does it reduce risk or waste? Does it open new revenue streams? If not, adoption will stall. The role FASTA will play These challenges reflect exactly why FASTA exists: to help innovators scale technologies and solutions that enable a more sustainable, productive and resilient UK agriculture sector. FASTA is already: Providing tailored mentorship from the Carbon Trust and industry specialists Validating solutions through UK Agri-Tech Centre facilities Connecting innovators with real commercial use cases Enabling collaboration with FASTA partners, including banks, retailers and policymakers FASTA is building the ecosystem needed to take agri-tech solutions from isolated pilots to nationwide adoption.  Conclusion: Momentum, clarity and shared purpose The FASTA launch event showed that the UK has the ideas, the intent and the innovation talent it needed for Net Zero agriculture. What has been missing is coordination, consistent data and aligned expectations. FASTA’s mission is simple and urgent: to accelerate the scaling of commercially viable and reliable agri-tech solutions that enable Net Zero agriculture. Key takeaways for agri-tech innovators: Collaborate early and often Test directly with farmers Integrate, do not isolate Build evidence, not just features Design for clear commercial value

What does ‘fit for farm’ really mean?

March 10, 2026 No Comments

What agri-tech developers need to hear from the farmers who use their tools. Technology succeeds when it works reliably, affordably and without making someone’s job harder. That was the clear message that came out of day three of the UK Agri-Tech Centre Growth Week, where we sat down with Somerset farmers Rob Addicott and Jeremy Padfield, along with Dr Annie Rayner from FAI Farms, for an honest conversation about what it takes to make agri-tech work in the field. With decades of combined experience trialling, adopting and sometimes rejecting new tools across mixed farming systems, Rob and Jeremy offered the kind of perspective that no laboratory or product roadmap can replicate. Annie brought more than 20 years of scientific expertise and a deep understanding of regenerative systems to the conversation. Together, they gave us a vitally important discussion about what the industry too often misses. Start with the farmer, not the technology When asked what ‘fit for farm’ means to them, the answers were immediate and practical. Relevance, said Rob. Technology that’s designed for the work being done on farm, not retrofitted from a research context. Reliability and affordability said Jeremy. User-centred design, said Annie. Tools shaped around the people and context they’re built for from the start. Rob captured a common frustration: “Often technology comes on the farm, and it’s been developed without thought for farmers and how they would use it. And obviously then people are going to be slow to take it up.” The key: Get on farm early Ask questions Involve another farmer As Rob put it, farmers will always listen to other farmers. If they know a peer has been part of developing a tool, it carries weight that no research paper or pitch deck can match. The tech that sticks is the tech that disappears into the workflow When asked to name technology that had genuinely made a difference, Jeremy pointed to a cross-make vehicle telematics system that tracks all farm machinery in real time, now accessible via a phone app. It tells him where every trailer is during silage, tracks fuel efficiency and records jobs automatically, even when someone forgets to log them. Its strength isn’t the data. It’s the fact that nobody has to think about it; expecting all staff to manually log data is unrealistic. The technology that gets adopted is the kind that removes friction, not the kind that adds it. Rob echoed this principle through another example: automatic weighing platforms for beef cattle, positioned at their water drinkers. Animals are weighed multiple times a day without being run through a crush. Health alerts are flagged automatically, which gives farmers a level of daily insight that would previously have required significant time and stress for both the farmer and the animals. The three questions every farmer asks When new technology lands on farm, Rob and Jeremy described a set of questions running through their minds: Will it actually work for us? Can we afford it and will it pay back? Can our team, not just the tech-savvy ones, actually use it? “In order for it to roll out on mainstream agriculture, it needs to be able to stack up financially”, Jeremy said. This is often where promising ideas stall because the business case hasn’t been thought through with the end user in mind. Rob looks for value beyond the financial: Does it add to soil health? Does it support animal welfare? Does it improve the quality of life for him and for his team? These concerns are central to whether technology is adopted at a time when farms face significant pressure. The importance of interoperability One of the most consistent frustrations was interoperability, or the lack thereof. Jeremy described a drone system that could identify individual weeds in a field with real precision, potentially allowing just 10% of a field to be sprayed rather than the whole area. Environmentally and economically, it was the right tool, but the drone software couldn’t talk to the sprayer. When they approached the sprayer manufacturer, the company decided they wanted to build the mapping function themselves rather than collaborate and the opportunity was lost. Annie named a related issue from the supply chain side: data collected by different technologies often can’t be compared or shared across different parts of the supply chain, even when everyone is theoretically reporting on the same thing. The result is that farmers end up navigating multiple platforms, relearning systems with each new machine and managing data that can’t flow where it needs to go. Rob’s wish for the year ahead is a piece of software that allows different technologies to talk to each other. It’s a deceptively simple ask, and one the industry hasn’t yet managed to deliver at scale. What good on-farm trials look like When the conversation turned to on-farm trials and demos, Rob, Jeremy and Annie were aligned: short trials don’t build confidence. A month or two of testing tells you very little about how something will perform across seasons, soil types and weather patterns. Regenerative approaches in particular need to be evaluated over 12 months or more. Demonstrations also need to span a variety of farm types. Farmers watching a demo need to be able to see themselves in it. If the trial is on a completely different scale or soil type, the lesson doesn’t travel, if the technology looks complicated to operate, people walk away before they’ve given it a chance. Tools that help farmers thrive Rob shared a compelling example of what technology can achieve when it’s genuinely designed around farming needs. During a difficult autumn last year, they trialled a product to improve soil microbial activity alongside crop establishment. Where the product was used, establishment was noticeably better, and on the trial plots nitrogen input was reduced by around 65%. For Annie, positive animal welfare is one of the most promising and underexplored areas for agri-tech innovation. Rather than framing welfare as harm reduction, the

Advancing climate‑smart agriculture with Crop Intellect

March 5, 2026 No Comments

As climate change intensifies and global food systems face mounting pressure, the need for practical, scalable agricultural innovation has never been greater. For Crop Intellect Ltd, a UK-based agri‑tech business pioneering transformative solutions for sustainable crop production, international collaboration is central to turning climate ambition into on‑farm reality. Their recent mission to Ghana, delivered in partnership with the UK Agri‑Tech Centre, the University of Ghana and Indigo Ag (Brazil), marks a significant milestone in this journey. Crop Intellect is best known for its flagship photocatalytic technology, R-Leaf®, a breakthrough solution designed to convert air pollutants (NOx gases) into usable nitrate for crops, whilst simultaneously removing nitrous oxide (N₂O – one of the most potent greenhouse gases) from the atmosphere. This dual benefit supports both emissions reduction and improved crop nutrition, offering farmers a pathway to productivity that is less reliant on synthetic nitrogen inputs. Founder and CEO Dr Apostolos (Tolis) Papadopoulos leads the development and commercialisation of the technology. As he explains: “Climate-smart agriculture will require practical technologies that farmers can adopt without disrupting production. Our work focuses on providing solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining crop productivity and offering additional income to the farmers. The engagement supported by the UK Agri-Tech Centre has been extremely valuable in connecting UK innovation with international agricultural partners and demonstrating how collaborative approaches can accelerate the transition to more sustainable farming systems.” Driving impact in Ghana Following the UK Agri-Tech Centre’s successful DATA-BEE mission in 2025, funding was secured for the ‘Climate-Smart Maize Initiative’ project, a UK-Brazil-Ghana collaboration addressing climate challenges in farming. Selected under the Innovate UK Climate-Smart Agriculture Partnership Innovation Awards, the project brings together Crop Intellect, the UK Agri-Tech Centre, the University of Ghana and Indigo Ag (Brazil). This trilateral programme enables UK innovators to collaborate with countries facing acute agricultural and climate challenges, fostering reciprocal knowledge exchange and opening pathways for sustainable development. For Crop Intellect, the UK Agri-Tech Centre’s coordination and international networks were instrumental. The Centre delivered a full programme in Ghana, including two capacity-filled dissemination events in Accra, where stakeholders from across the agricultural ecosystem gathered to explore the potential of R‑Leaf®. James Kayam, International Business Development Manager at the UK Agri-Tech Centre said: “During our recent visit to Ghana, we had an excellent turn out for our dissemination events – a strong reflection of the interest and engagement across the sector. The requirement and ambition are clearly present. The next step is sustained collaboration, innovation and targeted investment to scale climate-smart solutions that deliver real impact for farmers and strengthen national resilience. We’re pleased to play a part in this progress and look forward to building on the partnerships developed during our time on the ground.” The dissemination forums, hosted at the British High Commission, brought together agribusiness leaders, farmer organisations, distributors, researchers, policymakers, carbon finance specialists and investors. The central focus was the validation of R‑Leaf® technology and its potential impact in Ghana’s farming systems. Dr Henry O. Sintim of the University of Ghana, who is leading local trials, emphasised the urgency of adopting climate‑smart innovations: “If we can develop the technologies and innovations that address some of these emerging climate issues inhibiting agricultural productivity, then the country is likely to increase food production and security.” Scaling global impact through collaboration Crop Intellect’s next phase focuses on scaling R‑Leaf® across larger agricultural areas, diversifying its application to multiple crops and regions, and forming deeper partnerships across supply chains. To achieve this, continued collaboration with the UK Agri‑Tech Centre will be crucial. Support for demonstration projects, international market entry and carbon‑focused innovation will enable the business to deliver impact at scale. As Dr Papadopoulos noted during the Ghana forum: “R-Leaf delivers an impressive average return on investment, providing value for every money spent, highlighting its cost-effectiveness and significant contribution to sustainable and profitable farming practices.” Dr Emily Harrison, Innovation Associate in Sustainable Crop Production at the UK Agri-Tech Centre said: “As part of this project, the UK Agri‑Tech Centre carried out a market and economic analysis for the integration of R‑Leaf in Ghanaian maize production systems. By reducing dependence on an increasingly volatile synthetic Nitrogen fertiliser market and creating new income streams through carbon credits, R-Leaf technology presents a genuine opportunity for Ghanaian farmers. However, Ghana’s smallholder-dominated sector faces distinct barriers, from inconsistent rural access to agricultural inputs to limited affordable finance, that need to be addressed to enable widespread agri-tech adoption. The engagement we received during our visit was invaluable. Roundtable discussions with a wide range of stakeholders enabled us to identify clear, practical pathways for the adoption of R‑Leaf in Ghana. This collaborative project has strengthened relationships across the value chain and laid the foundations for scaling R‑Leaf to support the country’s agricultural future.” The Ghana mission showcased the strong appetite for climate‑smart technologies and the vital role UK expertise can play in strengthening resilience worldwide. With continued support from the UK Agri-Tech Centre, research partners and global supply chains, Crop Intellect is poised to accelerate its impact and help farmers to reduce emissions and enhance productivity. Are you serious about going global with your agri‑tech innovation? Find out how we can support your next stage of growth at [email protected].

Turning plant data into energy savings: Insights from the ACDC system vertical farm trial

March 2, 2026 No Comments

Overview As energy costs and tight margins continue to challenge the financial viability of vertical farming, the UK Agri-Tech Centre has actively been supporting industry partners in developing data‑driven solutions that make total controlled environment agriculture production more efficient and commercially viable. The ACDC (Advanced Crop Dynamic Control) system is one such solution. Developed through an Innovate UK-funded project, this multi-technology collaboration uses real-time plant feedback to automatically regulate lighting inputs. The system was installed at the UK Agri-Tech Centre’s Vertical Farming Development Centre (VFDC), FOTENIX INDIA, supplying plant spectral data Vertically Urban Horti-Blade™, providing dynamic lighting technology Ostara, integrating these inputs into an autonomous control platform The ACDC system switched lighting between ‘maximum production’ and ‘energy saving’ lighting recipes based on real-time spectral signatures for plant health. System Performance Growers need flexibility when managing energy use, crop quality and system performance in vertical farms. In this trial, the spectral signals and thresholds used in the ACDC System were selected to demonstrate the system can switch lighting modes based on signal input from the plant. Adjusting these settings, growers will be able to tailor the technology to their own crops and prioritise different production goals. Refining the integration During testing, the ACDC System successfully automated the switch between the two lighting recipes. While the core functionality worked well, it was not flawless. The system achieved the intended daily light duration 81% of the time, which may have contributed to reduced growth performance in the ACDC-grown plants. Impact on crop output While spinach yield performance was slightly lower in the trial than the control, crop appearance and quality remained consistent across both systems. Insights from the FOTENIX spectral data suggest that ACDC-grown plants may have diverted energy toward protective responses rather than growth. This highlights opportunities to refine control thresholds and crop-specific optimisation. Meaningful gains in energy and labour efficiency The ACDC System successfully delivered impressive energy savings. When the accounting for appropriate operational parameters, operation was 21–25% more energy efficient than the control system. The FOTENIX INDIA sensing platform provides constant, high‑quality, reliable data for the whole crop to support strategic decision‑making and recipe selection by Ostara. The system has the potential to automate all manual crop assessments—work that normally requires more than 20 hours of labour per trial. Key Takeaways The integrated ACDC system demonstrated that vertical farms could use real‑time plant data to automatically adjust lighting recipes, achieving energy savings of up to 25%. While the trial recorded a slight reduction in yield, this was linked to early-stage integration challenges and the need to refine which spectral signatures the system responds to. These findings highlight promising opportunities: Lighting can dynamically respond to plant conditions Energy use can be reduced without compromising crop quality Spectral feedback gives early insight into growth vs stress trade-offs This collaboration illustrates the value of technology integration to move towards more commercially viable vertical farming. The UK Agri‑Tech Centre will continue to work closely with the three companies to further progress the ACDC integrated system toward full optimisation. Future support include structured trials and analysis to refine the decision‑making model (e.g. signal selection), in collaboration with technology partners. The individual technologies are already available on the market through the consortium partners, providing immediate value to growers looking to adopt data‑driven, energy‑efficient solutions. Work with us The UK Agri-Tech Centre helps high potential agri-tech businesses reach commercial success, drive agri-tech innovation and adoption through world-class facilities, expert knowledge and business support. To find out more and get involved, contact us at [email protected].

How UK agri-tech businesses can navigate policy barriers while building globally competitive solutions

February 24, 2026 No Comments

On day two of our UK Agri-Tech Centre Growth Week, we heard from Charlie Guy, CEO and founder of LettUs Grow, and Charlie Mercer, Policy Director at the Startup Coalition, about what it takes to scale agri-tech businesses in the UK. Together, they unpacked the realities of scaling deep-tech in agriculture: proving technology commercially, navigating funding challenges and making the UK a place where agri-tech businesses choose to stay and grow. Why proving technology in agriculture takes longer than other sectors “For Lettus Grow, the journey from ‘this works’ to ‘growers will invest in this’ took years of rigorous validation.” Growers investing millions need scientific proof and economic validation, and agriculture’s seasonality means that proof takes time. Charlie Guy explained how LettUs Grow used controlled environments to accelerate R&D testing, then partnered with research institutions in the Netherlands and UK to build the academic credibility required before commercial growers would commit. The lesson: In agri-tech, scientific proof and commercial proof must happen in parallel. The UK policy landscape Charlie Mercer was clear: the UK has built strong foundations for entrepreneurship over two decades: “We are the third biggest startup ecosystem in the world, and that doesn’t happen by accident. Over the last 20 years, we have seen successive governments of different stripes actually lay the foundations for entrepreneurs to succeed in the UK.” Tax incentives like SEIS (Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme) and EIS (Enterprise Investment Scheme) have been crucial in attracting early-stage investment, particularly into high-risk, IP-intensive businesses like LettUs Grow. However, as the ecosystem has matured toward hardware-intensive, deep-tech businesses, different policy levers are needed. While agri-tech has been identified as a frontier industry, implementation has been patchy. Obstacles and catalysts for agri-tech businesses Funding LettUs Grow’s journey has coincided with the boom and bust of vertical farming investment. Schemes like SEIS have been vital in encouraging investment into high-risk, early-stage businesses. Different approaches may be needed for different types of technology. Regulation and standards For growers, UK regulation around product differentiation is limited. Charlie Guy explained the challenge: “In the UK, you’re either organic or you’re not. If you’re producing a better crop using methods that aren’t organic but using other methods that don’t fit in the organic bucket but are good in terms of water usage, no pesticides, grown locally, all these other very positive things — from a standards perspective, there’s no real way of differentiating by price when you’re growing a better quality product or a more sustainable product.” This limits the commercial case for growers to invest in innovative growing methods that deliver sustainability and quality benefits but don’t fit within existing certification frameworks. Energy and infrastructure Charlie Guy commented on the impact energy policy could have: “You cannot underestimate the impact that being on the right side of that policy would have for our customers—to be able to do things that are more innovative, to invest in expansion, to improve how they’re doing things and in many ways make their businesses financially sustainable.” New funding mechanisms like the Local Innovation Partnerships fund (£500 million through UKRI) offer potential to support sector-based innovation at a regional level, but leveraging these opportunities requires coordination between businesses, farmers and policymakers. Talent and market size The relatively small size of the UK’s protected cropping sector means that many of the large-scale project firms LettUs Grow partners with are based overseas, particularly in the Netherlands and North America. For technology businesses in UK agri-tech, a global outlook isn’t optional. To achieve venture-scale returns, international markets are essential. Practical pathways forward Both Charlies were optimistic about what’s possible through better coordination and targeted interventions: Expand trials for autonomous drones and robotics in farming to support farmer-driven innovation Scale programmes like ADOPT to enable farmers to move from testing to implementing proven innovations Reform energy pricing to support co-location of food production with renewables Update industrial classification codes so agri-tech businesses aren’t excluded from support schemes Create regulatory pathways for product differentiation beyond organic certification Join up food and energy policy — greenhouses using renewable energy support grid stability and decarbonisation Support circular, co-located systems integrating renewables, food, waste, heat and water treatment Invest in regional innovation ecosystems through funds like Local Innovation Partnerships Key advice for agri-tech founders Charlie Guy’s advice to other founders was grounded in lived experience: Stay optimistic but find your people “Optimism is definitely hard sometimes to keep. A lot of that optimism comes through meeting other people that you can bounce off and grow that optimism together. Make sure you can push above the noise and the things that are often trying to beat the optimism down around you. That connection with others that share your ambition and share your vision is important. Because that keeps you, when times are harder, focused on really having that impact at scale.” Prove it academically and commercially – In agri-tech, both matter. Build the validation step into your scale-up strategy. Think globally from day one – If you’re building agri-tech in the UK, you’ll need international customers to achieve venture-scale returns. Engage with policy – Charlie Mercer’s message was encouraging: “Policy is plastic. So long as you have evidence, you have a good narrative and you have folks who authentically speak to why it’s a good thing to change a policy, it can be done. It’s hard. It requires really staying the course.” How the UK Agri-Tech Centre supports scaling businesses We work with businesses like LettUs Grow at every stage of their journey: Validation and proof: Real-world testbeds and research partnerships to build scientific and commercial credibility Farmer networks: Connecting businesses with end-users to shape market fit and accelerate adoption International connections: Supporting global expansion through partnerships and market intelligence Policy engagement: Amplifying sector voices and working with coalitions to shape better policy outcomes Funding and support pathways: Navigating innovation funding, from ADOPT trials to UKRI programmes. Programmes like FASTA and our Agri-Tech Solution Sprints help SMEs move from technical challenge to commercial opportunity Listen to the full podcast here. If you’re building agri-tech and navigating the challenges of scaling, we’d love to support you. Get in touch today at [email protected]

Strengthening UK–India collaboration to advance sustainable agriculture

February 20, 2026 No Comments

The UK and India share a long‑standing commitment to agricultural innovation. In 2025, this partnership took a major leap forward through the UK–India Agri‑Tech Accelerator Programme, designed to strengthen bilateral collaboration, drive sustainable agriculture and support cutting‑edge innovators. This involved the establishment of a collaborative partnership between the UK Agri-Tech Centre and the UK Government, including the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Department for Business and Trade and the UK Science and Technology Network, to deliver the UK–India Agri-Tech Accelerator programme. Through an open call, five innovative UK businesses travelled to India and explore collaboration opportunities across four key technology areas: Precision breeding Crop surveillance technologies Precision applications or controlled growth systems Information and decision management tools Driving innovation for food security India represents a significant opportunity for agricultural innovation and collaboration. With 220 million hectares of cropped land and agricultural exports worth $53 billion in 2023–24, India stands as one of the world’s most influential agricultural markets. However, persistent productivity challenges create a strong demand for cutting-edge agri-tech solutions and international partnerships to unlock its full potential. The UK-India Agri-Tech Accelerator Programme aimed to connect UK agri-tech innovators with India’s rapidly evolving agricultural ecosystem to address shared challenges in food security, sustainability and climate resilience. Building high-impact partnerships across India Five pioneering UK companies — MUTUS, Linearworks, Green CropTech, AgriSound, and LettUs Grow — were selected to participate in an intensive week-long mission across Delhi, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Throughout the visit, the delegation engaged with: Leading research institutes Investors Start-ups Policymakers Field visits and targeted workshops helped identify key challenges and explore future collaboration opportunities from R&D and demonstrator sites to manufacturing. Key site visits included: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) Agri Innovation Centre, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore (UASB) These interactions enabled participants to gather crucial insights and build meaningful relationships with Indian stakeholders. Lasting impact The accelerator delivered measurable impact for each of the participants and in strengthening UK-India relationships, including: Three innovation workshops engaging key stakeholders Pilot collaborations initiated for technology testing and market entry NDAs signed post-visit to advance partnerships Coverage in Indian Media featuring the visit’s visibility and impact Participants also reported gaining valuable insights into the Indian market and established ongoing dialogues with Indian incubators and investors. Participant reflections Feedback from delegates confirmed the programme’s success, praising the UK Agri-Tech Centre’s coordination and the cross-government collaboration. Charles Guy, Co-Founder and CEO of LettUsGrow: “The trade mission to India proved to be highly valuable, yielding several positive outcomes for LettUs Grow. Productive off-site visits to existing key customers, including a multinational seed-breeding company, allowed for valuable insights into their specific needs and challenges that I wouldn’t be able to gain without a UK Government sponsored in-person visit.” Dr Navneeta Katyan, Co-Founder of Green Crop Tech: “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.” Looking ahead The UK Agri-Tech Centre will continue to support the connections fostered through this programme and explore future opportunities for UK agriculture businesses internationally, through market access and policy alignment. Read the full mission report: https://sciencesearch.defra.gov.uk/ProjectDetails?ProjectId=21920 Are you serious about going global with your agri‑tech innovation? Find out how we can support your next stage of growth at [email protected]

Agri-tech in action: A February round up

February 19, 2026 No Comments

From industry insights to supporting businesses to develop cutting-edge innovation across AI, robotics and automation and CEA, to thought-provoking conversations at events, we share our must-read roundup to keep you ahead of what’s shaping the sector.  UK Agri-Tech Centre’s new CEO unveils accelerated support for agri-tech start-ups and scale-ups Over 100 leaders from across the agri-industry gathered at the House of Lords for an agri-tech networking reception on February 3. During the reception newly appointed CEO Steve McLean presented his vision for cultivating a dynamic UK agri-tech industry that strengthens agricultural sustainability and resilience. The vision for the future? Steve McLean, CEO, UK Agri-Tech Centre: “Our goal is clear: to make the UK one of the world’s most successful environments for agritech innovation, attracting and growing the most capable, impactful ventures.” Read the full update Turning ambition into action for agri-tech with Growth Week Growth Week was all about backing agri-tech businesses to grow with confidence. Across 2-6 February, we brought together innovators, farmers, investors and partners for fast-paced sessions dedicated to helping businesses break down barriers and move faster towards commercial success. Throughout the week we shared podcasts, webinars and videos aimed at boosting growth opportunities for agri-tech businesses and the whole supply chain focusing on: Addressing barriers to growth Ensuring agri-tech is fit for farms Navigating the supply chain Exploring new initiatives to accelerate your growth – FASTA and Agri-Tech Solution Sprints Scaling your business internationally Tales of exporting from the Middle East Explore the resources now available Agri-Tech Solutions Sprints – Fast-track your agri-tech innovation If you’re developing tech in controlled environments, robotics, advanced sensing, AI and data, or engineering biology and you’ve already got a working prototype, the Agri-Tech Solution Sprints can help you take the next step with confidence. Registrations close on 23 February. No long lead times. No heavy burden. Just focused support designed to unlock your next stage of growth. Register today International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026 What inspires someone to pursue a career in science? This International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we spoke to two scientists who share their journeys into their fields. From building a company focused on restoring soil biodiversity, to navigating a research career while overcoming early barriers, Dr Angela de Manzanos Guinot and Dr Kerry McDonald Howard show how curiosity, resilience and supportive role models can shape a future in STEM. Read their stories Boosting strawberry yields with drones and AI Polybee is transforming strawberry farming with cutting-edge drone technology. The Precision Pollination Project uses autonomous drones to boost pollination and provide growers with accurate yield forecasts in controlled environments like greenhouses and polytunnels. The UK Agri-Tech Centre has supported Polybee’s success with project management and technical expert support. Find all our stories in our monthly newsletter – sign up here.  If you are interested in business support or have any questions, contact us at [email protected]

How agri-tech becomes supply-chain ready

February 18, 2026 No Comments

What every agri-tech business needs to know to work with the agri-food supply chain Scaling an agri-tech business requires more than innovative technology. It demands a deep understanding of the industry, clear communication of value and strategic partnerships that align with end-user needs. On day one of our UK Agri-Tech Centre Growth Week, we spoke with Louisa Hogarty (Chief People & Impact Officer) and Emily Marshall (Sustainability & National Account Manager) from Noble Foods, a supplier to major retailers, who understands what it takes to turn innovation into something the market can adopt. Together, they unpacked industry expectations for agri-tech, its value across the supply chain and practical advice for agri-tech businesses working with large food suppliers. Align with strategic priorities For organisations like Noble Foods, strategy drives procurement decisions and adoption across the supply chain. Louisa explained that their impact strategy runs through to 2050, with measurable progress required every year. One key insight is that agri-tech businesses must understand where they fit within an organisation’s broader strategic goals. As Louisa advised, “solve a real problem and make it easy for us to sell it”. Noble Foods focuses on carbon reduction, biodiversity enhancement and animal welfare improvements. These aren’t isolated initiatives but interconnected priorities that shape technology investment decisions. Emily shared two successful partnerships that illustrate this alignment. AgriSound provides bio-acoustic monitoring to quantify biodiversity on free-range sites, giving Noble Foods baseline data they can share with retail customers. Hutchinsons‘ TerraMap technology delivers comprehensive soil health data, supporting carbon and sustainability targets. Both solutions provided tangible, measurable outcomes tied directly to strategic objectives and retailer reporting needs. Communicate value through the chain In agri-food supply chains, value must be communicated clearly at every level — farm managers, technical teams, commercial leads, category buyers and retailers. Emily emphasised that clear communication is non-negotiable: “A company being able to come to us with a really clear idea of what the project delivers in really simple terms, not assuming that anybody reading it is an expert in the field, makes everybody else’s life easier.” This matters because Emily needs to sell projects internally for sign-off and externally to retail customers. Noble Foods works with major retailers who have their own sustainability targets. When an agri-tech solution can be easily communicated up the supply chain, it gains momentum. Make it easy to re–tell your story: Develop clear explanations Create shareable materials Don’t just share data — tell a story with it And, as Emily noted about AgriSound’s success, “don’t be scared to use social media” to build awareness and credibility. The three adoption barriers in supply chains, and how to overcome them Emily shared why some agri-tech partnerships don’t progress beyond initial conversations. First, scalability and timelines matter: “If something is a fantastic idea but it’s going to take five years to get off the ground, five years to us is a really long time. We need to be starting work now.” Technology must be deployable across different farm sizes and geographies without extensive customisation. Second, cost and ROI are critical. Despite being a large business, Noble Foods operates on tight budgets. However, collaborative funding through mechanisms like Innovate UK can open doors. Third, operational disruption can be a dealbreaker. If implementing technology requires significant staff time without clear benefits, it won’t happen. Solutions must integrate seamlessly into existing workflows. The opportunities ahead Looking forward, Louisa and Emily highlighted a few major opportunities for agri-tech innovation. From reactive to proactive operations Louisa highlighted that better data capture and analysis will fundamentally change how farmers manage their operations: “Leveraging data to move from being reactive to proactive is going to be the biggest change. As farms gain more real‑time visibility, decision‑making can shift from responding to problems to predicting and preventing them. Data quality and control Data is becoming strategic IP: “One of the biggest benefits to organisations in the future is around the quality of your data and that IP. One of the things we’ve looked at in the past is, if we as a business can’t own that data and control that data, that is a red line for us.” Nature and biodiversity reporting Emily noted a significant shift in sustainability priorities. With retailers increasingly requiring reporting on nature and biodiversity outcomes, this emerging area presents substantial space for new solutions and thought leadership. Exclusivity accelerates adoption Offering time-limited exclusivity can secure early champions: “If I can say there’s an exclusivity period and we know that we’ll be first to market, it helps to get people on board.” In competitive markets, being the first to implement innovative tools can create immediate marketing advantages and deepen customer relationships. Key takeaways for scaling agri-tech in supply chains: Align your technology with customers’ long-term sustainability commitments and strategic priorities Communicate clearly in jargon-free language that can be shared throughout the supply chain Ensure scalability across different farm types and geographies without extensive customisation Minimise operational disruption and clearly demonstrate ROI Address data ownership transparently and provide ongoing partnership support Consider time-limited exclusivity to accelerate adoption Explore collaborative funding mechanisms to reduce cost barriers How the UK Agri-Tech Centre helps businesses become supply chain-ready We support businesses across the agri-food supply chain validate and scale with: Real-world testbeds that mirror farm-to-retail workflows Farmer networks and end-user insight to shape market fit Data validation to provide accurate information Programmes like FASTA and our Agri-Tech Solution Sprints to help SMEs overcome technical and commercial challenges and move towards commercialisation Listen to the full podcast here. If you’re building something innovative and want to make it adoptable in real-world supply chain conditions, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch today at [email protected].

Low energy kelp shows promising results for crop yields

February 17, 2026 No Comments

A groundbreaking project exploring low‑energy methods for processing cultivated kelp into a liquid biostimulant and animal feed supplement has exceeded early field‑test expectations and taken a significant step toward commercialisation. Backed by Innovate UK, the nation’s innovation agency, the ‘Optimising low energy extraction of kelp for soil and livestock nutrition‘ initiative (Low Energy Kelp) advances earlier feasibility research. The work centres on refining liquid extraction and ensiling techniques for kelp, to establish a two-stage extraction process that yields reliable agricultural products. The project brings together Algapelago Marine Limited, a farming-led seaweed biotech enterprise with an offshore cultivation operation, as lead partner, alongside Rothamsted Research and the UK Agri-Tech Centre. Together, they have validated product performance under challenging abiotic stress scenarios. Growing demand for seaweed biostimulants Agricultural interest in biostimulants derived from seaweed continues to expand, driven by their capacity to boost crop development, strengthen stress resilience and improve nutrient utilisation efficiency. Their sustainable sourcing also offers positive environmental advantages. The agri-seaweed market currently relies heavily on wild-harvested material, though demand for seaweed-based agricultural supplements is projected to surge as regulatory frameworks push for reduced chemical inputs. Initial testing Testing took place within Rothamsted’s controlled environment infrastructure, enabling the research team to determine ideal application methods and dosing for Algapelago’s prototype formula. The initial phase examined how four different foliar application rates affected wheat and field bean productivity under both adequate irrigation and drought stress. A second phase compared the effectiveness of foliar versus soil application on wheat yields. Additional testing to assess application timing relative to plant development stages and performance under varied drought conditions has been recommended to further refine the biostimulant’s use. Trials using different fertiliser levels were also suggested, as the product may demonstrate enhanced benefits under more nutrient-constrained scenarios than those examined in this study. Tangible yield improvements The research confirms that under specific circumstances, seaweed-derived biostimulants deliver tangible crop yield improvements. Dr Marieme Drame, Scientific Technician at Rothamsted Research, North Wyke, expressed enthusiasm about the findings. She said: “Kelp-derived biostimulants offer a systems-based solution that works with plant and soil biology to enhance crop performance. At the optimal application rate in our wheat trials, we observed improved growth and yield, along with positive indirect effects on soil microbial activity, demonstrating clear value for productive and resilient farming systems.” The importance of collaboration Dr Hari Ram Upadhayay, Scientist in Agroecosystem Biogeochemistry at Rothamsted Research, North Wyke, emphasised the importance of partnership. He said: “Collaboration is a key to driving innovation. Here, kelp-derived biostimulants innovation holds major promise for supporting sustainable intensification as agriculture adapts to a changing climate.” Professor Adie Collins, Science Director at Rothamsted Research, highlighted how industry-science partnerships can advance the sector. He said: “This project provides a good example of how industry and science teams can co-work together to ensure robust evidence is assembled on potential new interventions in support of sustainable and resilient agriculture in a changing and challenging world.” Industry insights and grower engagement Dr Saravanan Rengaraj, Innovation Associate for Soil Health at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, said: “Algapelago has successfully applied nature based farmed seaweed chemistry through a scalable biostimulant platform designed to enhance crop yield stability and nutrient use efficiency. We at the UK Agri-Tech Centre feel proud to have supported with technical validation and project management.” Kerr Jeferies, Market Research & Partnerships Manager at Algapelago, said: “The insights from our direct engagement with growers have been invaluable. Hearing directly from leading farm managers and agronomists has sharpened our focus and made us even more confident in the product’s potential and market fit. We’re excited to continue engaging with these partners as we go from prototype to full commercialisation of the UK cultivated kelp biostimulant.” What’s next? Speaking about the project and the progress it has made in exceeding its targets, Luke Ansell, Head of Operations & Research at Algapelago, said: “The Low Energy Kelp project set out an ambitious goal to unlock the supply of cultivated kelp as a quality agricultural supplement. Over the last two years, we’ve made great progress towards that goal, moving from concept phase to a low-energy processing method stress-tested at a 1-tonne scale. The prototype biostimulant product has far exceeded expectations in wheat trials, demonstrating that biostimulants sourced from cultivated seaweed can outperform market incumbents. Though the Low Energy Kelp project has ended, we will continue to build the evidence base for product efficacy and move towards commercial production through the sister Innovate UK SKE-NMT project. I want to thank all project partners, including Atlantic Mariculture, Rothamsted Research and the UK Agri-Tech Centre, for their contributions. It’s been a pleasure working with the consortium team and we look forward to providing more updates on our work soon.” For more information, get in touch at [email protected].

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