Farmers, researchers, and innovators gathered in Peterborough for the REAP Conference, organised by the Agri-TechE network, to discuss the latest advancements and challenges in agricultural technology. The event highlighted persistent barriers to agri-tech adoption, including access to funding, technology fragmentation, and a misalignment with farmers’ needs. However, delegates also heard about new funding streams and collaborative approaches to technology development that are easing the path to implementation.
Baroness Minette Batters, former NFU president and recent leader of a government review into farm profitability, delivered the keynote address. Speaking publicly for the first time since submitting her study to Defra, she emphasised the critical role of agri-tech in improving farm profitability post-subsidy support. “Agri-tech is front and centre of profitability,” she stated, stressing the need to integrate research and innovation into every farm and field. Batters highlighted that controlling input costs and farming at scale are key to profitability, and that agri-tech can help achieve these goals.
James Beamish, director of farming for the Holkham Estate in north Norfolk, shared his experiences in driving innovation through collaboration. Holkham, along with three other farming businesses, formed Catalyst Farming, a research and development company focused on creating a resilient environmental system that balances food production, biodiversity, and carbon efficiency. The group has conducted trials on nutrient and fungicide use efficiency, seed rates, spot spraying, and machinery optimisation, often in partnership with research organisations like NIAB, the University of East Anglia, BBRO, and PGRO. Beamish noted that benchmarking between the four businesses has been instrumental in driving efficiency and challenging existing practices.
Agri-TechE director Belinda Clarke underscored the UK’s potential to become a global leader in agri-tech testing and trialling, thanks to its diverse farming systems and innovative farmers. She advocated for a collaborative approach, bringing together start-ups and research projects to address farmers’ challenges collectively. Clarke’s vision aligns with the conference’s overarching theme of fostering collaboration and innovation to overcome barriers and drive agri-tech adoption.
The conference underscored the importance of collaboration and innovation in overcoming the persistent challenges facing agri-tech adoption. By bringing together farmers, researchers, and innovators, the event highlighted the potential for new funding streams and collaborative approaches to co-develop technology that meets the real needs of farmers. As the agricultural sector navigates the post-subsidy landscape, the insights and collaborations forged at the REAP Conference could play a pivotal role in driving profitability and sustainability.