Defra allocates 20m to encourage development of farm robots
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has earmarked £20 million in new government funding to encourage agri-tech businesses to participate in the development of farm robots and other technologies.
Defra outlined that agri-tech businesses, who apply for a share of the £20 million, will collaborate with farmers and researchers to further advancements in farm automation and robots.
According to the department, the funding will be geared towards efforts such as the development of robots that can plant, tend, and harvest crops.
Defra noted that this technology will aim to "ease the pressure on farms that struggle to find enough seasonal workers at harvest time".
Speaking on the investment, Defra's farming minister Stephen Morgan said: "Farmers work incredibly hard to put food on our tables, often battling to find enough seasonal workers when the pressure is on.
"This funding will help put cutting-edge robots and technology into their hands, easing that burden while boosting yields and profits."
Defra highlighted that similar work has already been done in the agri-tech field already, including Fieldwork Robotics' raspberry-picking robot.
It has been reported that Fieldwork Robotics will now be using government funding to make its robot "tougher and more reliable so it can be rolled out commercially."
The department stated that the round of funding is also open to applications for agri-tech businesses who cater to livestock farming.
Defra noted that livestock applications will follow other farm innovations, including Roboscientific’s DETECT project, which developed technology that can sniff out illness in dairy cows before it takes hold.
According to Roboscientific, its system can analyse a cow's breath to catch bovine respiratory disease early, "an illness that costs farmers dearly in lost animals, vet bills and extra work".
Farming Innovation Programme
The allocation of £20 million in funding will be delivered through the government's Farm Innovation Programme, which is a partnership between Defra and Innovate UK that aims to invest at least £200 million in farming innovation by 2030.
Defra stated that £123 million in funding has already been made available this year for "cutting-edge farming research and technology".
Agri-tech businesses can apply for a share of the funding through the government's innovation funding service website.
The department added that applications centred around ornamental plant propagation, growing, and monitoring are also welcome.
