The UK Agri-Tech Centre, supported by the Department for Business and Trade and the UK Science and Innovation Network, led an agri-tech focused delegation visit to Spain. This visit forms part of a UK Government-funded Tactical Fund project that brings together leading UK and Spanish research institutions and agri-tech companies to foster knowledge exchange, build networks and explore collaborative opportunities.
Delegates included representatives from innovative UK agri-tech companies including:
- Crop Intellect, an agricultural solutions company focused on delivering sustainable technologies to improve crop productivity and environmental outcomes
- Antobot, an award-winning agricultural robotics start-up developing autonomy, sustainability and AI solutions for soft-fruit growers
- SugaROx, a company harnessing science to develop a new generation of biostimulants to help farmers boost crop yield
- FOTENIX, a leader in advanced crop monitoring technology
- Renowned research institutions: The James Hutton Institute, Rothamsted Research, NIAB and Harper Adams University.
The week included a deep dive into the Spanish agricultural sector including engaging visits with research experimental station IRTA Mas Badia in Girona, bio incubator ICECYL with the Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Salamanca (IRNASA) in Valladolid, sugar beet cooperative ACOR and the University of Almeria and Cajamar cooperative in Almeria.
The aims of this project include:
- Strengthening relationships and enhancing collaboration with Spanish and UK organisations
- Identifying and showcasing technologies that are most critical to both nations
- Promoting and communicating the strengths of the UK and Spanish science and research landscapes
- Exploring opportunities to collaborate on projects
- Creating R&D and commercial opportunities for both UK and Spanish agri-tech companies and organisations through bilateral knowledge exchange visits to Spain and the UK.
Nicholas Harrap, UK Senior Science and Innovation Officer at the British Embassy Madrid:
“Delegation visits provide a platform for participants to explore ways to work together and get to know the research institutions and companies in the different countries. It was useful to hear about the work being undertaken by UK participants and to see and hear about the projects being done in Spain. We hope the visits will lead to productive collaborations.”
James Kayam, International Business Development Manager at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, said:
“The Spanish agriculture sector is a key supplier to the UK, exporting a significant volume of produce including citrus, stone fruits, vegetables, wine, olive oil and pork – collectively accounting for around 50% of Spain’s total agri-food exports to the UK.
This visit has been a great opportunity to showcase the strength of UK science, research and innovation during key visits across Spain. We are already witnessing meaningful connections taking place, with complementary research and development opportunities emerging between the UK and Spain that support the agricultural sector.”
Richard Glass, Innovation Lead at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, added:
“The research we were shown on the visit was very much focused on the key crops in each region, from low-cost retrofitting of equipment for precision application for stone fruit, to complex sensors and data integration for greenhouse environments. There are always good collaboration opportunities with local growers keen to see the potential benefits of new ideas and technologies.”
Shona Brown, Senior Trade and Investment Adviser at the British Embassy Madrid, said:
“This type of mission is invaluable for connecting with key stakeholders in the Spanish regions and promoting British excellence and innovation in agriculture, creating commercial and scientific collaborations.”
This Tactical Fund project will include a reciprocal visit from Spain to the UK in March 2025.
If you would like to know more about this delegation visit to Spain or other international visits, please get in touch via [email protected]
