British farmers are driving the next wave of greener, smarter
farming, with new technology trials tackling
emissions, productivity, and resilience, announced
today (Monday 15 December) by Farming Minister Dame .
Backed by nearly £2.3 million across
30 projects through the first round of the
government's ADOPT Fund, the trials explore new
ideas in real working farm conditions, from lower emission
machinery to digital tools that support day-to-day farm
management. The programme is designed to generate practical
evidence about what works on farms before wider take-up.
One project led by J&E Graham will trial peat-free compost
made from short rotation coppice willow grown in agroforestry
systems and blended with other local materials. Different compost
mixes will be tested as growing media to assess performance
and suitability, with the aim of cutting reliance on peat and
artificial fertilisers.
Alongside this, W.S. Furnival Limited will test retrofitting
an older Massey Ferguson 290 tractor to run on green methanol,
assessing whether conversion could offer a practical low carbon
alternative where electrification is not yet viable.
DigiTwinFarm, led by G J Jelley & Sons, will also trial a
Farm Digital Twin Platform on two contrasting beef and sheep
farms, using drone imagery, farm records and on farm testing to
support nutrient planning,
environmental monitoring, and day to day farm
management.
Farming Minister Dame said:
“By backing innovative ideas that boost productivity and
resilience, we're helping farmers lead the way in
shaping a modern, sustainable agricultural sector.
“This Fund sits at the heart of our Industrial Strategy
and are turning brilliant ideas into real-world
solutions.”
Dr Stella Peace, Managing Director and Executive Director
for Healthy Living and Agriculture Domain at Innovate UK,
said:
“Innovate UK is working with Defra to deliver ADOPT, taking
technology to the next scale and into adoption.
“By supporting farmer trials, ADOPT aims to strengthen the UK's
leadership in sustainable agri‑tech, advance productivity
and build more resilient food systems.”
ADOPT, delivered in partnership with Innovate
UK, is a £20 million programme for the 2025 to
2026 financial year supporting the next wave of
farmer-led innovation. By funding practical trials, the
government aims to ensure that new
technologies are properly tested on farms
before wider take up.
The fund forms part of the government's Modern Industrial
Strategy commitment to invest at least £200 million into the
Farming Innovation Programme by 2030, advancing its wider Plan
for Change.
