Nineteen projects developing agricultural automation and robotic technologies are to get a share of the latest tranche of money from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) for boosting farming productivity, food security and sustainable farming practices.
The £12.5 million in funding is going to initiatives to help improve strawberry yields, reduce waste and optimise labour and harvesting schedules, as well as a new system to digitally map and monitor vineyards using drones, robots and sensors.
A navigation system for field based robotic vehicles to improve accuracy and reliability and enable safe navigation in farmyard and field operations is also being supported.
This brings the total government funding announced to fund industry led automation and robotics related research and development in agriculture and horticulture to £120 million since 2021.
FIP boost
The projects are getting their governmental boost out of the ongoing Farming Futures Automation and Robotics competition. Part of the department’s £270 million Farming Innovation Programme (FIP) and delivered by Innovate UK, the scheme has funded 17 competitions since its October 2021 launch.
FIP, said Defra, has already aided the development of new approaches to help farms be more sustainable and productive, from new ways to reduce or eliminate pesticide use through to projects to reduce emissions from livestock.
“Innovation is key to driving a resilient, productive and sustainable agriculture sector that puts food on our tables,” said Farming Minister Mark Spencer. “By providing opportunities, funding and a supportive ecosystem within the sector, we aim to empower farmers, drive innovation and create a sustainable and prosperous future for agriculture across the UK.”
FIP is also offering £10 million through the third round of its Small R&D Partnerships competition to help businesses develop a new farming product and service and take it to commercialisation on the open market. There is also a further £4.5 million through the Feasibility Studies Competition to support businesses and researchers through the testing phase of an idea that will improve the productivity, sustainability and resilience of farming.
FIP is also investing in equipment, technology and infrastructure and the recently launched Investor Partnership competition combines government grant funding with private investment to help smaller agri-tech businesses to grow and scale.
Crucial drivers
Dr Katrina Hayter, challenge director for the Transforming Food Production Challenge at Innovate UK, added that robotics and automation are crucial drivers in addressing the challenges posed by a growing global population and the need for sustainable practices in various sectors, including agriculture.
“By fostering innovation and research, we empower our farmers, growers, foresters and businesses to not only enhance productivity and economic growth but also to lead the way in sustainable practices,” she said. “These projects are a testament to our commitment to improving environmental outcomes and reducing carbon emissions, ensuring a brighter and more sustainable future for our agricultural and horticultural communities.”
