In the heart of Northern Ireland, a quiet revolution is taking place, not in the bustling tech hubs of Belfast, but in the rolling green fields and farmyards that have long been the backbone of the region’s economy. A growing number of firms from Northern Ireland are stepping up to help the local farming and agri sector improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. Among these innovators, Farmdrive, a livestock management app, has emerged as a beacon of this agricultural tech renaissance.
Farmdrive’s recent victory as Best Tech Start-Up at the 2025 NI Tech Awards, along with its New Product Innovation award at the 2025 Balmoral Show, has turned heads and sparked conversations about the future of farming in Northern Ireland. The app, co-founded by Gareth McDonald and Gareth Gordon, both with deep roots in farming, is a testament to the sector’s growing embrace of technology.
The Farmdrive concept was born in 2022, driven by the Gareths’ shared vision of creating a practical, user-friendly tool tailored to the needs of modern farmers. The app is designed to streamline livestock management, offering features such as real-time data tracking, health monitoring, and breeding management. By digitizing these processes, Farmdrive aims to save farmers time, reduce costs, and ultimately, improve the welfare of their animals.
The implications of this tech-driven shift in agriculture are significant. For one, it challenges the stereotype of farming as a traditional, tech-averse industry. Instead, it paints a picture of a sector that is open to innovation and eager to adapt to the challenges of the 21st century. This includes everything from climate change and sustainability concerns to the need for greater efficiency and productivity in the face of global competition.
Moreover, the rise of agri-tech in Northern Ireland is not just about individual innovations like Farmdrive. It’s about a growing ecosystem of start-ups, established firms, and academic institutions working together to drive change. This collaborative approach is crucial, as it allows for the sharing of ideas, resources, and expertise, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
For farmers, the benefits are clear. By embracing technology, they can gain better insights into their operations, make data-driven decisions, and ultimately, improve their bottom line. For the wider economy, the growth of the agri-tech sector presents new opportunities for investment, job creation, and export potential.
However, the journey is not without its challenges. The farming industry is complex and diverse, with each farm facing its unique set of circumstances. Therefore, the key to success lies in developing solutions that are flexible, scalable, and tailored to the specific needs of individual farmers. Additionally, there’s a need for ongoing support and training to ensure that farmers can fully harness the power of these new technologies.
As Farmdrive and other agri-tech firms continue to gain traction, the future of farming in Northern Ireland looks increasingly bright. The sector is on the cusp of a digital revolution, one that promises to transform the way farmers work and drive the industry forward. And while there’s still much work to be done, the progress made so far is a testament to the power of innovation and the resilience of Northern Ireland’s farming community.