The UK Agri-Tech Centre took part in the first-ever Agronomy Exchange conference on 11 February in London, where a mix of agronomists, industry experts and researchers came together to talk about the future of UK crop production and how technology can help shape it.
It’s the first event of its kind and covered topics such as how AI-driven decision tools can impact the industry positively, as well as the way in which digital innovation is shaping resilience in arable farming.
Data-driven agronomy takes centre stage
Eliot Dixon is the Head of Robotics and AI at the UK Agri-Tech Centre and hosted the workshop on Data Driven Agronomy & Future Skills. This session explored how data, robotics and digital tools are transforming modern agronomy. It considers how agronomists can use emerging technologies to improve decision-making, support farm businesses and develop the skills needed to remain relevant in an increasingly data-driven agricultural sector.
Eliot said: “The conference was an ideal mix of agri-tech ventures, academics and most importantly, farmers and their advisors. We took this unique opportunity to get some feedback from the audience on their use of data and AI in agronomy and the blockers they are facing. This was fascinating and will influence our long-term support to the industry.”
Perspectives from UK Agri-Tech Centre experts
Also in attendance at the event was the UK Agri-Tech Centre’s Farm Technician, Rahul Khatravath, who took advantage of the networking opportunities at the event.
He said: “I personally found the conference very interesting and insightful. It was a great opportunity to see agronomists, progressive farmers, researchers and industry experts come together and share what is happening on the ground in terms of research and practice. I particularly valued gaining a better understanding of the production side of the sector, including plant breeding, fertiliser use efficiency, weed management and broader aspects of plant growth and crop performance.
As we mainly work with technology, it was fascinating to explore the deeper scientific aspects such as precision breeding, nitrogen use efficiency and carbon sequestration. Speaking directly with farmers also helped me understand their practical challenges and pain points, especially around nutrient management and sustainability.”
Richard Round, Innovation Associate for Agricultural Sustainability at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, attended the event and found it extremely beneficial to talk to the people on the ground.
He said: “It was a pleasure to attend the Agronomy Exchange event. The day was filled with engaging talks from farmers, researchers and industry leaders who explored technologies shaping the future of UK crop production, including soil science, precision breeding, engineered biology and the growing role of data and AI-driven approaches. Between the highly informative sessions, I was also fortunate to speak with several attendees, including farmers, agronomists and agri-tech organisations. It is always encouraging to attend events like this that tackle the challenges facing the agricultural sector by exploring innovative ideas to support a healthy, sustainable and profitable farming system for the years ahead.”
Rahul added: “I also felt that events like this provide valuable learning opportunities for us as an organisation. It helps us better understand farmers’ needs, the challenges they face and how we can support them by co-creating practical solutions together. The conference provided a strong platform to engage with farmers, agronomists, plant breeders and industry partners, and I believe it would be beneficial for us to stay involved in such initiatives. Overall, it was a very valuable learning experience and I really enjoyed attending.”
