The Watercress Company, a Hampshire-based farm, is turning to cutting-edge technology to boost production and efficiency in the face of extreme weather challenges. The idea was sparked by an Instagram video, leading Managing Director Tom Amery to invest £80,000 in three Agras T50 drones, designed for agricultural use by Chinese company DJI.
These drones, equipped with four sets of rotary blades, can carry up to 50kg of fertiliser, seed, or feed. They promise to revolutionise the way watercress is grown, making the process two to three times faster than manual methods. This not only speeds up production but also allows for more targeted fertiliser application, reducing the amount needed for the crop. The technology is already in use in the Americas but remains a novelty in the UK, with The Watercress Company awaiting permits from the Civil Aviation Authority before they can take to the skies.
The company’s foray into agri-tech is part of a broader trend in the UK farming sector, which is increasingly embracing innovation to improve efficiency and sustainability. The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has been advocating for more widespread adoption of such technologies, warning that without it, the UK risks falling behind its international competitors.
The government has shown support for agri-tech, including it in its industrial strategy and allocating £200m up to 2030 for the farming innovation programme. However, many farmers are feeling the financial squeeze and may lack the funds or confidence to invest in new, potentially untested technology.
Despite the challenges, The Watercress Company remains committed to innovation. The company has largely funded its technological advancements itself, with only a quarter of the drone investment coming from the government’s shared prosperity fund. While partnerships like The Watercress Company are ineligible for certain funding options, such as R&D tax credits, Amery believes that innovation is key to overcoming problems and driving the farming sector forward.
The company is also trialling multispectral cameras, which use AI to assess crop health and identify problems in the fields. This kind of innovation, Amery says, is what will help the farming sector become more productive, sustainable, and resilient in the face of challenges like extreme weather and financial constraints.
While the benefits of agri-tech are clear, the path to widespread adoption is not without its hurdles. Funding constraints, regulatory barriers, and the need for proven results all pose challenges. However, with the government’s support and the determination of farmers like Amery, the UK farming sector is poised to embrace the future of agriculture.