As revolutionary as new technologies may be, their true impact remains dormant until they transition from the lab to the market. This sentiment will be a focal point for industry leaders at the upcoming World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in London, set to take place from September 30 to October 1. The event aims to accelerate the commercialisation of technologies designed to decarbonise the food chain, recognising that industry adoption is the catalyst for real change.
Adrian Percy, Executive Director of the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative, underscores the importance of strategic research-industry partnerships in bringing scalable new technologies to market. “Connecting with organisations of various sizes and prioritising project management to translate academic research into impactful agricultural solutions is at the heart of our mission,” Percy explains. His initiative exemplifies how collaboration can bridge the gap between academic innovation and practical application.
Olivier Clyti, Director of Strategy R&D Innovation, RSE & Digital at InVivo, echoes this sentiment. InVivo leverages its vast network of cooperatives and partners to test new technologies, both internally developed and sourced from start-ups. “The size of our group, combined with the support of our partners’ cooperatives, gives us the opportunity to test all new technologies,” Clyti notes. This integrated approach supports InVivo’s mission to foster a resilient agrosystem through innovative and responsible solutions.
The call for more collaboration to scale up and speed up sustainable agtech solutions is also emphasized by Mónica Andrés Enríquez, Yara International’s EVP for Europe. “We can’t do it alone,” she asserts, stressing the need for shifts in policy frameworks, incentives, investment strategies, consumer behaviour, and business practices. Yara’s long-term decarbonisation project with PepsiCo Europe exemplifies how shared goals can drive meaningful progress toward a sustainable food system.
Marianne Kleiberg, Regional Managing Director Europe at The Nature Conservancy, highlights the role of NGOs and downstream off-takers in testing new models that support farmers in adopting regenerative practices. “Our work with Nestlé to scale the adoption of regenerative practices in its milk, soybean, and sugar supply is a prime example,” she says. Financial incentives and technical support, particularly from government bodies, are critical in encouraging farmers to adopt new technologies.
The success of these collaborations hinges on clear communication, well-defined expectations, and a continuous feedback loop, according to Percy. Enríquez adds that shared goals are crucial, citing Yara’s partnerships with various food chain players as a testament to the power of aligned objectives. Kleiberg points out that government support, such as England’s Environmental Land Management schemes, can inspire similar updates to agricultural subsidies in other countries.
Emerging technologies are at the forefront of this transformative wave. Robotics and data analytics are revolutionising agriculture, offering solutions to labour shortages and enabling informed decision-making through integrated data sources. InVivo’s precision farming techniques, designed to optimise fertilisation and nutrient delivery, are already making strides in this area. Yara’s 65-year trial at its Hanninghof research centre underscores the importance of balanced crop nutrition in maintaining soil health and agricultural resilience.
The future also holds promise for low-carbon footprint fertilisers, as evidenced by Yara’s Sluiskil project, which aims to remove 12 million tonnes of CO2 from its ammonia and fertiliser production over the next 15 years. The Biodiversity Net Gain scheme is another example of how regenerative practices and landscape restoration can support farmers and landowners, creating a win-win solution for both agriculture and the environment.
For those eager to delve deeper into these topics, the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit offers a prime opportunity. Industry leaders like Adrian Percy, Mónica Andrés Enríquez, Marianne Kleiberg, and Olivier Clyti will share updates on their projects, debate future directions, and explore the impact of emerging technologies. The summit promises to be a pivotal event for anyone invested in the future of sustainable agriculture.