UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has announced a new research grant worth £12.5m, which is intended to support the development of next-generation technology for farming applications.
The grant will be available agri-tech businesses, farmers, growers and researchers, and is the organisation’s third funding competition within the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs’ (DEFRA) Farming Innovation Programme.
In these competitions, DEFRA outlines a project theme to address long-term challenges of strategic importance for the farming sector.
The UKRI has said this specific investment represents its commitment to helping improve productivity on farms, creating more sustainable farming practices, improving animal welfare and food quality through data collection and reducing labour demands and input costs.
The research body pointed to the significance of automation and robotics, which was also highlighted in the National Food Strategy in terms of promoting growth in this sector.
Applications will open on 9 January 2023 for:
- collaborative industrial research (£500,000 to £1m over 36 to 48 months)
- experimental development projects (£750,000 to £1.5m over 24 to 36 months)
- horticultural and arable crop production and all livestock are in scope of this funding competition, as are controlled environment and vertical farming systems.
UKRI has said projects should demonstrate how automation and robotic solutions can benefit food production systems by providing greater efficiency and resilience.
Katrina Hayter, interim executive director healthy living and agriculture, Innovate UK said: “Innovation through automation and the use of game-changing technology is one of the central pillars of a future food system in the UK.
“The ability to plan, monitor, alert and review through digital systems brings substantial benefits to farmers and growers, from animal and crop health through to optimising harvest, waste reduction and environmental impact.
“The competition will consider ideas for bringing forward this technology, and also look at how automation can support necessary farm labour, making roles more effective and productive for all involved.
“With such opportunity, we look forward to studying the new concepts within the applications, and to supporting some of the best and brightest ideas in bringing their projects to the next stage.”
The application deadline will close on 15 March 2023.
