Farming News - DEFRA- Industrial strategy: £200m to target innovation in Agri-Tech
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DEFRA- Industrial strategy: £200m to target innovation in Agri-Tech
- At least £200m for the Farming Innovation Programme to drive innovation up to 2030.
- New export accelerator programme to back fast-growing agri-tech firms.
- Backing British farmers and growers' part of government’s Plan for Change.
The Government on 23 June set out its ten-year plan to make the UK the best country to invest in worldwide, with its new Industrial Strategy highlighting agri-tech as a key area for growth with £200m to target innovation.
The Industrial Strategy – a major step forward in government plans to deliver national renewal – includes targeted support for the areas of the country and economy that have the greatest potential to grow, while introducing reforms that will make it easier for all businesses to get ahead.
The Strategy targets eight key sectors and technologies that can drive economic growth, with agri-tech highlighted as a ‘frontier’ industry within Advanced Manufacturing. It also recognises the opportunities for precision breeding as part of Engineering Biology within the Digital & Technology Sector.
As part of the plans, unveiled this week, the Government has announced it will allocate £200 million for the Farming Innovation Programme (FIP) between now and 2030, offering targeted funding to drive innovation in agriculture. In addition, a new Agri-Tech Export Accelerator Programme will help high-growth agri-tech businesses identify the best international markets for their products and give them the tools and support they need to succeed overseas and build strong supply chains.
Developments in these areas will help boost the profits of farmers and growers, and improve the sectors resilience for the future
The Strategy targets eight key sectors and technologies that can drive economic growth, with agri-tech highlighted as a ‘frontier’ industry within Advanced Manufacturing. It also recognises the opportunities for precision breeding as part of Engineering Biology within the Digital & Technology Sector.
As part of the plans, unveiled this week, the Government has announced it will allocate £200 million for the Farming Innovation Programme (FIP) between now and 2030, offering targeted funding to drive innovation in agriculture. In addition, a new Agri-Tech Export Accelerator Programme will help high-growth agri-tech businesses identify the best international markets for their products and give them the tools and support they need to succeed overseas and build strong supply chains.
Developments in these areas will help boost the profits of farmers and growers, and improve the sectors resilience for the future
Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said:
“Driving innovation and growth in agri-tech is a win-win for the nation.
“Not only can we create jobs, strengthen economic resilience and ensure food security is maintained, we can boost the profits of farmers and growers through innovation.
“The Industrial Strategy, a key part of the Government’s Plan for Change, sets out a clear long-term plan for the nation to get Britain’s future back.”
“Driving innovation and growth in agri-tech is a win-win for the nation.
“Not only can we create jobs, strengthen economic resilience and ensure food security is maintained, we can boost the profits of farmers and growers through innovation.
“The Industrial Strategy, a key part of the Government’s Plan for Change, sets out a clear long-term plan for the nation to get Britain’s future back.”
The UK agri-food chain contributes £147 billion in in economic value to the country. The number of agri-tech start-ups in the UK has increased approximately 40-fold in the last decade, employing more than 30,000.
The UK is a world-leading centre of technological innovation, a global financial hub, and a creative powerhouse, with vast potential in every part of the country. The modern Industrial Strategy aims to make the UK the best country to invest in and grow a business — including in agri-tech — by supporting the development and commercial use of new technologies to help farmers grow more food, increase profits, and protect the environment.
The UK is a world-leading centre of technological innovation, a global financial hub, and a creative powerhouse, with vast potential in every part of the country. The modern Industrial Strategy aims to make the UK the best country to invest in and grow a business — including in agri-tech — by supporting the development and commercial use of new technologies to help farmers grow more food, increase profits, and protect the environment.