The government’s Industrial Strategy has placed British agriculture at the heart of its growth mission, recognizing the potential of precision breeding and agri-tech innovations as a central pillar of the Digital and Technologies sector plan. This strategic move opens up new opportunities for the farming sector, with significant investments and initiatives aimed at driving productivity, sustainability, and profitability.
As part of its strategy, the government has pledged to allocate £200 million for the Farming Innovation Programme (FIP) between now and 2030. This commitment provides a much-needed boost to the FIP, which was first launched in October 2021 but faced an uncertain future following the Spending Review. The FIP has already seen substantial investments in cutting-edge technologies such as robotic milkers, data-driven decision support tools, sensors in poultry sheds, genomic testing of livestock, navigation systems, and new greenhouses. Additionally, longer-term projects focused on tackling potato blight and growing climate-resistant hops have also received funding.
Moreover, the government plans to introduce a new Agri-Tech Export Accelerator Programme to identify the best international markets for UK agri-tech products. This initiative aims to showcase innovative British technologies and open up global markets for UK produce. To further stimulate private investment, the government will invest £5 million in the Farming Innovation Investor Partnerships competition, with the goal of matching £10 million of private investment.
The success of these initiatives hinges on a productive, resilient, and profitable farming sector. For the UK to demonstrate a world-leading position and attract investment, agritech businesses must see value in trialling and testing their innovative products on British farms. A thriving pre-competitive science, research, and knowledge exchange ecosystem is vital to underpin private business investment in agricultural technologies, ranging from robotics and sensors to gene-editing and biobased materials.
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has played a crucial role in advocating for the recognition of the UK food and drink sector as the country’s largest manufacturing sector, worth £147 billion and supporting over four million jobs. The NFU has been instrumental in raising awareness of the opportunities presented by specialised harvesters, drones, and precision weeders to drive productivity, sustainability, and profitability benefits for farm businesses.
Looking ahead, the Industrial Strategy outlines broader potential opportunities for the NFU to campaign for its priorities through the Supply Chain Centre and British Business Bank. The NFU will continue to work with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) to confirm the timescales and criteria for the opening of these funds, aiming to maximize the potential benefits for farm business productivity, resilience, and ultimately, UK food security.
The implications of this strategy are far-reaching. By placing agriculture at the core of its growth mission, the government is not only investing in the future of British farming but also recognizing the critical role that technology and innovation play in ensuring food security and sustainability. As the farming sector embraces these advancements, it is poised to become a global leader in agri-tech, driving economic growth and creating jobs.