In a significant boost to the agri-tech and food-tech sectors, nine innovative projects across Mid and North Wales have secured a combined £2.95 million in funding from Innovate UK. This investment, awarded through the Collaborative Research and Development (CR&D) programme, underscores the region’s growing reputation for cutting-edge innovation in agriculture and food production.
The funded projects are part of the Agri-tech and Food Technology Cluster for Mid and North Wales, an initiative aimed at tackling some of the most pressing challenges in the agri-food sector. Coordinated by the Cluster Management Organisation led by Growing Mid Wales, the programme fosters collaboration between businesses, researchers, and delivery partners. Key partners include Ambition North Wales, M-SParc, AberInvention, AMRC Cymru, Innovate UK, and the Welsh Government. The focus areas range from productivity and sustainability to crop health, packaging, and food resilience.
Louise Jones, Wales Manager at Innovate UK, highlighted the significance of these awards, stating, “These awards highlight the depth of innovation capability across Mid and North Wales. Collaborative R&D funding helps businesses work with partners to reduce risk, accelerate innovation and bring new ideas closer to market.”
The Agri-tech and Food Technology Cluster is instrumental in turning innovative ideas into practical applications. The agri-tech segment, managed by M-SParc, supports advancements in precision farming, automation, and biotechnologies. Meanwhile, the agri-food cluster, overseen by AberInvention, concentrates on food manufacturing, processing, and sustainability. A strategic steering group, comprising key regional partners, ensures that the cluster’s activities align with business needs and long-term growth opportunities.
Among the nine projects receiving funding are several groundbreaking developments. These include rapid livestock disease diagnostics, robotic strawberry harvesting, and the creation of sustainable food packaging from seaweed. Additionally, projects focus on enhancing the nutritional value of bread using Welsh-grown mushrooms, developing satellite-linked water quality monitoring systems for farms, and creating digital traceability platforms for Welsh food and drink producers. Innovations also extend to transforming low-value Welsh wool and invasive bracken into sustainable agricultural products.
Barbara Green, Project Manager for the Agri-tech and Food Cluster Management Organisation of Mid and North Wales at Growing Mid Wales, emphasized the dual economic and environmental benefits of the investment. “Together, these projects showcase the ambition, creativity, and technical excellence coming out of Mid and North Wales,” she said. “Just as importantly, this investment is being spent in the region, supporting local businesses, researchers, and farmers to turn bold ideas into practical innovations.”
Elliw Hughes, Agri-food and Tourism Programme Manager for the North Wales Growth Deal at Ambition North Wales, added, “This investment reflects the value of regional collaboration, supporting businesses to scale innovation and contribute to a more productive regional economy.”
The funding not only highlights the innovative spirit of Mid and North Wales but also sets a precedent for future collaborations. Businesses interested in joining the Agri-tech or Food Technology clusters or learning more about future funding opportunities can find further information via the Growing Mid Wales website. This initiative marks a pivotal step towards a more sustainable and resilient agri-food sector, positioning Mid and North Wales as a hub for agricultural and food technology innovation.