We need to produce our food in a more sustainable and efficient
way if we are to meet the expected 60% increase in global demand
for food by 2050.
Better ways of working the land can lead to reduced emissions and
pollution, less waste and improvements to the soil.
UK companies are global leaders in the technologies that will
help to achieve this, including in environmental management,
earth observation, sensors, big data, artificial intelligence and
robotics.
However, there is often a lack of connection between the
developers of these technologies and the farmers, agronomists and
vets that could take advantage of them.
The UK Government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund
Transforming Food Production Challenge has up to £90 million to
help businesses invest in new data-driven precision-agriculture
technologies that could transform food production.
Innovate UK, as part of UK Research and Innovation, has up to £15
million from the fund to invest in feasibility studies and
demonstration projects that help to turn these technologies into
practical solutions and get them into the hands of those who
could benefit.
Research can be in arable, livestock and aquaculture
Projects must all work on precision, data-driven solutions. They
can undertake research in 1 or more areas including:
- arable, such as cereals, field-scale vegetables or potatoes
- dairy
- ruminants, such as beef, lamb, goat
- monogastrics, such as pork, poultry and eggs
- horticulture, including berries, apples, lettuce and tomatoes
but not ornamentals
- aquaculture
They should also have the potential to improve productivity and
sustainability and contribute to the target of net zero emissions
from agriculture by 2040.
Feasibility studies must also look at business models
Up to £5 million is available for feasibility projects. They must
evaluate potential solutions that tackle challenges identified by
industry to see if they could be commercialised.
They must:
- look at business models alongside technical feasibility and
draw in expertise to do this
- work with end users to make sure solutions meet their needs
- the competition is open, and the deadline for applications is
at midday on 26 February 2020
- businesses of any size may apply
- projects could range in size between £75,000 and £250,000
Demonstrator projects will develop best practice
Up to £10 million is available for a series of demonstrator
projects. The projects will be used to develop best practice and
shape future investment in science.
Projects will be expected to take part in the work to share
results and reach potential users of the technology.
Projects must:
- demonstrate the viability of combinations of precision
solutions to transform food production
- demonstrate solutions across different production
environments, to encourage their widespread use
- work with end users
- produce evidence of technical feasibility and economic
viability at commercial scale
- the competition is open, and the deadline for applications is
at midday on 26 February 2020
- businesses of any size may apply
- projects could range in size between £400,000 and £4 million
