Frontier Agriculture has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Esri UK, aimed at revolutionizing the UK farming industry through advanced geospatial solutions. This collaboration, which was unveiled on December 20, 2024, seeks to enhance food production by providing farmers with deeper insights into location data throughout the entire food production lifecycle. As the agricultural sector grapples with challenges like resilience and sustainability, this initiative marks a significant step toward modernizing farming practices.
Founded in 2005 as a joint venture between Associated British Foods and Cargill plc, Frontier Agriculture is a prominent player in crop production and grain marketing, boasting an annual turnover of around £1.5 billion. The three-year Managed Cloud Service agreement with Esri UK will grant Frontier access to the Esri ArcGIS system. This will enable the integration of geospatial technology into existing applications and facilitate the development of innovative solutions tailored for its extensive network of over 14,000 farmer customers.
The partnership’s priorities are ambitious. They include connecting various segments of the food production process, creating digital twins of farms, and enhancing transparency in food supply chains. By doing so, the collaboration aims to provide a clearer understanding of where and how food is grown, thus addressing critical issues in the industry. Tom Parker, Head of Digital Solutions at Frontier Agriculture, emphasized the significant opportunity that geospatial technology presents, stating that this partnership is a pioneering effort within the farming sector. He highlighted the need for growers and the broader supply chain to leverage location intelligence to navigate the complexities of modern agriculture.
Immediate plans for the partnership involve the integration of Esri ArcGIS into Frontier’s MyFarm digital platform. This platform is designed to streamline farm management, enabling growers to monitor everything from financial details to precision farming data in one centralized location. Historically, geospatial technology in agriculture has focused on specific tasks such as crop mapping or precision farming plans. However, Frontier aims to expand the application of geographic information systems (GIS) to foster resilience and sustainability in food production through a more comprehensive approach.
Parker noted the growing necessity for farmers and food processors to illustrate the journey of food production. This need is underscored by increasing agricultural policies and sustainability measures, which require demonstrable efforts in reducing Scope 3 emissions within supply chains. Jules Cullen, head of business development at Esri UK, echoed this sentiment, stating that location serves as a powerful unifier for disparate datasets, unlocking new business value in farming. He believes that the combination of Frontier’s agricultural expertise with Esri UK’s geospatial capabilities will set a new standard for the UK food production sector.
This partnership not only represents a significant technological advancement for the agricultural community but also highlights the increasing importance of digital tools in meeting the demands of modern food production. As the industry continues to evolve, the integration of geospatial solutions could play a pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable and efficient agricultural landscape in the UK.
