Cutting edge farming projects to get share of £30 million of government funding
Projects include genetic research to reduce methane emissions from
cows and the use of drones to monitor animals Funding is alongside
new £12.5 million competition to kickstart even more innovative
solutions for sustainable and resilient farming Grants form part of
the government’s work to build a sustainable and resilient farming
sector Up to £30 million has been awarded to cutting-edge farming
projects that will boost food production, move towards net
zero,...Request free trial
Up to £30 million has been awarded to cutting-edge farming projects that will boost food production, move towards net zero, and create a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector, the government has announced today (Wednesday 31 May). The projects announced today include:
Alongside the £30 million set to be awarded to more than 50 successful projects from today, the government has also made a further £12.5 million available to fund innovative projects helping to deliver a more productive, resilient and sustainable agricultural sector. The funding is all part of the Farming Innovation Programme, run in partnership with UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) and delivered by Innovate UK, which is making £270 million in grants available before the end of the agricultural transition to fund research and development projects to help farmers and growers produce food more sustainably. Secretary of State for Agriculture Thérèse Coffey said: “Farmers are always forward-looking, and innovation is key to driving forward a resilient, productive and sustainable agriculture sector that puts food on our tables whilst protecting and restoring the environment. “Alongside our new farming schemes, these grants will help to support farmers and pave the way for a technological transformation that will help produce food sustainably for generations to come.” Katrina Hayter, Executive Director Healthy Living and Agriculture of Innovate UK, said: “The competitions once again demonstrate the sheer breadth and quality of innovation within the UK agri-food space “We’re proud to be able to help deliver these funding and partnership opportunities to the sector, bringing together farmers, growers, technologists and researchers in a common aim of making the UK food system more sustainable and resilient. “Whether improving existing production or introducing novel foods and techniques, the winners have all risen to the innovation challenge and we look forward to supporting their development further.” These grants, alongside the government’s new flexible and accessible farming schemes, will ensure that farmers remain at the heart of the rural economy and putting food on our tables. It follows the Farm to Fork Summit earlier this month where the government announced a package of support for the farming sector, including new measures to ensure the sector remains at the forefront of adopting new technologies and techniques. This includes substantial investment to unlock the potential of precision breeding following royal assent for the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act, and a working group to bring plant breeders, food manufacturers and retailers together to agree an approach that enables these products to reach our shelves. £12.5 million for new ‘On-Farm Environmental Resilience’ competition The new £12.5 million ‘On-Farm Environmental Resilience’ competition will see farmers and growers apply for up to £1 million in project costs to drive the development of new technology and innovative farming methods, with a focus on practical solutions that make a real impact on farms. Projects could find new ways to detect pests and prevent and manage disease; help farmers to reduce their fertiliser use; boost soil resilience; and manage threats from extreme weather and flooding. Projects researching how gene editing and methods including regenerative cropping could boost productivity and crop resilience are also encouraged to apply. Details for the new competitions feasibility strand can be found here and details for the competitions industrial research strand can be found here. UK registered businesses will be able to apply until Wednesday 19 July 2023. ENDS Notes to editors: Successful projects under the Farming Innovation Programme Up to £30 million is set to be awarded to as many as 58 successful projects in the four most recent rounds of the Farming Innovation Programme, with over 50 innovative projects awarded a share of over £18 million so far. The rounds were Climate Smart Funding, Sustainable Farm-Based Protein, Feasibility Round 2 and Research Starter Round 2. Climate Smart Funding The Climate Smart Funding competition offered a share of up to £12.5 million to projects who were able to demonstrate solutions that help the agriculture sector to reduce emissions and reach net zero aims. Projects were required to identify how they supported farmers, growers and foresters in the UK to improve practices and tackle common issues. Example projects:
Sustainable Farm-based Protein The Sustainable Farm-Based Protein competition also offered a share of up to £12.5million to applicants, this time focusing on the development of innovative solutions to increase the sustainability protein production. Covering areas such as livestock, plants, bioeconomy and novel animal feed production systems, the competition sought projects that would accelerate these technologies and support a sustainable protein industry. Example projects:
Paul Billings, Managing Director of Germinal UK and Ireland, part of the Openfolde Group, said: “Finding a sustainable alternative to soya is a priority for the food industry. Protein crops such as peas are ideal for the UK climate but one of our challenges is their flavour profile in human food. “This exciting breeding programme will use innovative research in pea genetics to develop new varieties with the goal to produce peas that are tasteless in processed food but retain nutritional value.” Feasibility Round 2 This Feasibility competition formed part of the Programme’s Industry-Led R&D Partnerships Fund, and offered a share of up to £5.5million. Projects were asked to offer early-stage solutions that have the potential to improve productivity, sustainability and resilience across farming, with a view to meeting net zero ambitions. Example projects:
Research Starter Round 2 The Research Starter Round 2 competition provided a fund of up to £1million, where farmers, growers and foresters can secure a share by identifying early-stage solutions to key food production issues. The competition is aimed at making innovation funding more accessible to a wider range of applicants.. Example projects:
£12.5 million On-Farm Environmental Resilience Competition.
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