In April, the Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) fund was launched, marking a significant step in supporting farmer-led innovation in the agricultural sector. This initiative, part of the Farming Innovation Programme and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, offers grants to support on-farm trials aimed at developing and testing new solutions to farming challenges. The results of these trials are shared widely, enabling other farmers to assess the potential benefits of these solutions for their own operations. With the fifth round of funding now open, it’s an opportune moment to recap the funding available and highlight some of the innovative projects from the first round to inspire potential applicants.
Through ADOPT, two types of grants are available. The Full ADOPT Grant supports on-farm trial and demonstration projects to improve the adoption of new ideas or solutions in the agricultural sector. Projects eligible for this grant must have total costs between £50,000 and £100,000. The fifth round of this grant, with up to £4.5 million available, is currently open and will close on 4 February 2026. The sixth round, offering up to £5 million, will open on 5 February 2026 and close on 8 April 2026.
For those new to the grants process, the Facilitator Grant provides up to £2,500 to hire an external project facilitator. This grant is designed to help farmers, growers, or foresters in England prepare an application for the Full ADOPT Grant. The sixth round of the Facilitator Grant, with up to £100,000 available, will open on 15 January 2026 and close on 25 February 2026.
To support farmers throughout the process, the ADOPT Support Hub offers guidance, connects farmers with potential project partners, and provides access to project facilitators. Delivered by ADAS, UK Agri-Tech Centre, and The Soil Association, the hub is a valuable resource for those exploring ideas, preparing applications, or running funded projects.
The ADOPT fund has already facilitated a range of innovative projects. One notable example is the exploration of UV-C light as a sustainable, non-chemical way to protect carrot crops from foliar diseases and post-harvest losses. Led by Huntapac Produce Ltd and R & A Molyneux Ltd, this trial aims to reduce pesticide use by testing UV-C equipment within commercial production systems. The project also involves Autonomous Agri Solutions and SRH Agribusiness, which are providing engineering support, data collection, and agronomy advice.
Another innovative project focuses on rapid mastitis detection to slow antibiotic use. RapiPath, a next-generation on-farm diagnostic tool, aims to identify mastitis-causing bacteria within two hours, enabling targeted treatments and reducing unnecessary antibiotic use. This trial, taking place on a farm in the North East, will assess the tool’s effectiveness in real farm and veterinary settings.
Additionally, an AI-powered bird deterrent system is being tested to address bird damage, particularly from pigeons, which causes significant crop losses and increased costs for mitigation. Led by T.H. Clements & Son Ltd and Vitacress Salads Ltd, in partnership with B-Hive Innovations Ltd, this project aims to develop a system that combines computer vision detection with adaptive countermeasures. The system is designed to scare birds away without disturbing other wildlife, potentially increasing yields by around 5–10% for brassicas and 20–25% for salad crops.
These projects exemplify the potential of farmer-led innovation to address critical challenges in the agricultural sector. By supporting trials on working farms, the ADOPT fund helps demonstrate the best ways to boost productivity, making farms more resilient and profitable. As the fifth round of funding opens, farmers are encouraged to explore the opportunities available and consider applying to be part of this innovative initiative. For more information and inspiration, the ADOPT Support Hub offers a wealth of resources and case studies.