
• 10th anniversary of agri-tech strategy
• Sector develops in leaps and bounds
• Opportunities but challenges as well
A refreshed approach is needed unlock farming’s potential to deliver multiple hi-tech benefits alongside food production, says a study.
UK farmers have huge capacity to deliver industrial feedstocks such as biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and raw materials for textiles and construction – as well as ecosystem services, says the report by Agri-TechE.
The organisation’s Back to the Future report marks the 10th anniversary of the not-for-profit membership organisation – and the 10th anniversary of the government’s own 2013 AgriTech Strategy for the sector.
Revenue streams
Responses from over 70 contributors, including innovative farming businesses and estates, researchers and technology developers, investors, and technical and commercial service providers, shaped the report.
The document says there is much optimism for agri-tech innovation. But challenges include a changed investment landscape, difficulties scaling solutions and businesses, a lack of secure revenue streams, and regulators lagging behind innovation.
This clearly highlights the need for a renewed government focus and new agri-tech strategy to enable it to help the sector meet new priorities, says Agri-TechE director Belinda Clarke.
“The 2013 strategy engendered a lot of fresh thinking, energy, external investment and innovation in the agricultural and horticultural sectors,” she says. “But the sector is now in a very different place.”
Artificial intelligence
A decade ago, for example, artificial intelligence was largely confined to science fiction. Today, it is increasingly used in agriculture – and formed the theme of last month’s REAP conference at Newmarket.
Today, there is greater emphasis on climate-smart agriculture to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and a focus on aligning on-farm productivity with environmental sensitivity to help reverse biodiversity declines and maintain clear water and air.
“We need the government to deliver a strategy for agriculture and horticulture that recognises the industry as a key component of our bioeconomy,” says Dr Clarke. “This, in turn, will inform a refreshed agri-tech strategy [to] unlock the industry’s potential.”
Clear policies give clarity on the direction of travel and build confidence, she stresses. “Well-defined, long-term sector strategies can lever private investment and provide a roadmap for innovation success. A new strategy for the next decade is needed.”
Lagging behind
Other challenges include regulation failing to keep pace with innovation and emerging trends, such as biological products. For agri-tech developers, earlier engagement with regulators from the outset of innovation is vital, the report suggests.
Scaling solutions also remains challenging. More government support for businesses could help, potentially via contracts or subsidies to help boost nascent industries. Without secure revenue streams, markets can be tough to penetrate.
Similarly, agri-tech developers are struggling to calculate return on investments for farmers – vital for farmers looking to embrace a new technology. That is leading to some on-farm fatigue, says the report, with some innovations failing to deliver on their hype.
“We need to stop promising farmers that a technology is going to change the world tomorrow,” says Dr Clarke. “While some farmers are happy to be beta-testers, the majority want reliability and seek solutions that will work the first time.”
Wealth of technology to make farming more productive
There is no shortage of new technology to help farmers in the future – including artificial intelligence and wearable technology for livestock.
Conversational artificial intelligence allows users to ask specific questions of their data – and get sensible answers. Sensors help growers make better agronomic decisions, and genetic tools are helping scientists breed crop varieties with valuable new traits.
These and other technologies will potentially deliver solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reverse biodiversity loss and maintain water quality, says Agri-TechE director Belinda Clarke.
Developments such as satellite imaging and GPS navigation, clean energy production through ground source heat pumps and anaerobic digestion, innovative lighting solutions, show how farm agri-tec has come in the past decade.
“The agri-tech community is collectively very optimistic about the next decade, but a new agri-tech strategy would give the granular clarity to inspire further transformative innovations,” sys Dr Clarke.
The full Back to the Future report by Agri-TechE is available at www.agri-tech-e.co.uk
About AgriTechE
A non-profit organisation, Agri-TechE brings together family-run farms with innovators and entrepreneurs from across agriculture, technology and science. For more details, visit
www.agri-tech-e.co.uk.
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