The UK government has taken a significant step towards fostering sustainable agriculture by investing £1.34 million in a range of innovative projects. These initiatives, funded through DEFRA’s Farming Innovation Programme in collaboration with Innovate UK, are designed to reduce emissions, bolster domestic supply chains, and advance the development of precision-bred crops. The 15 projects span various areas, including feed innovation, soil health, regenerative systems, and climate-resilient crops, highlighting the government’s commitment to a greener and more resilient agricultural sector.
One notable recipient of this funding is McArthur Agriculture’s InFaba Project. This initiative aims to develop UK-grown faba-bean feed ingredients to reduce dairy methane emissions and replace imported soy. By trialing regenerative, pulse-based feed formulations, the project seeks to maintain milk yields while cutting greenhouse gases. The potential impact is substantial, with the possibility of reducing annual emissions by over two million tonnes of CO₂e. Additionally, integrating pulses into crop rotations can enhance soil structure and reduce fertiliser dependence, contributing to domestic feed resilience.
The funding also supports several precision breeding projects, underscoring the UK’s ambition to lead in climate-smart crop development. Precision Plants is working on climate-resilient hemp varieties tailored to UK conditions, aiming to unlock new bio-based materials markets and strengthen the circular economy. British Sugar’s project focuses on developing virus-yellows-resistant sugar beet, addressing a persistent disease threat in the UK beet sector. Newcleic’s ExtendDNA project aims to accelerate the development of resilient crops by enabling the construction of long DNA sequences. QuberTech’s QuBOOSTR initiative is pioneering precision-bred, UK-grown rubber-producing crops, creating a sustainable natural rubber supply. Bofin Farmers’ LLS ERASED project seeks to introduce precision-bred oilseed rape with enhanced light-leaf-spot resistance into commercial use for the first time in Europe. Cambridge Glasshouse Company’s AUTOTOM project aims to redesign tomato greenhouse production through precision breeding and automated systems, targeting labour reductions and yield boosts. John Innes Enterprises’ Sunshine Tomato project aims to boost provitamin D3 levels to address vitamin D deficiency in the UK.
A significant portion of the funding is allocated to A Healthier Earth and Cefetra’s BioBLEND initiative, which scales a biochar-based, low-carbon fertiliser. Previous trials have shown a 23% reduction in applied nitrogen without yield loss, offering potential value through nitrogen-avoidance and carbon credits. The fertiliser is produced by converting farm residues into biochar and blending it with poultry fly ash, locking carbon away for centuries. The project aims to optimise formulations, run farm-scale trials, and validate agronomic benefits to boost farmer confidence in biochar, a promising carbon-removal technology.
The wider set of projects includes initiatives like Terrafarmer’s Bio-Phage UK, which integrates phages and biological inputs to reduce nitrous oxide emissions and improve nitrogen efficiency. Oxcel’s water-treatment system for poultry and pig farms aims to improve welfare, productivity, and emissions. HydroStar’s HyDigest converts digestate into clean energy and slow-release fertiliser, while Wase’s EMR technology scales electromethanogenic reactors to turn agricultural waste into low-carbon biomethane. CCM Technologies’ CLEAR-FARM pilots next-generation fertiliser made from treated poultry litter. These projects combine emissions reduction with operational savings, aligning with government priorities in productivity, soil health, and energy resilience.
Andy Cureton, director of agri-food systems at Innovate UK, emphasised the dual benefits of these innovations: “These innovations have the potential to reduce emissions, strengthen domestic supply chains, and boost productivity across UK agriculture, supporting long-term food security and helping farmers adapt to a changing climate.” Alastair Collier, chief R&D officer at A Healthier Earth, highlighted the importance of providing farmers with proven, economically compelling tools: “Biochar is one of the most promising forms of carbon removal available today. The funding will help us engineer a fertiliser that works agronomically, reduces emissions, and creates clear economic value for farmers.”
In conclusion, the UK government’s investment in these cutting-edge projects reflects a strategic push towards sustainable agriculture. By focusing on emissions reduction, domestic supply chain resilience, and precision-bred crops, the funded initiatives aim to deliver both environmental and economic benefits. These innovations not only address immediate challenges but also position the UK as a leader in advanced, sustainable crop genetics and commercialisation pathways.