The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced a £2.3 million investment today (Monday, December 15) for the first wave of farmer-led tech trials under the ADOPT fund.
This investment will support 30 projects to conduct trials that will test new technologies in real farm conditions, focusing on reducing emissions, improving productivity, and strengthening resilience.
The ADOPT fund is designed to generate practical evidence on how these new ideas perform on working farms before wider industry adoption, with projects ranging from “lower emission machinery to digital tools that support day-to-day farm management”.
Commenting on the investment, Defra’s Minister of State, Dame Angela Eagle said: “By backing innovative ideas that boost productivity and resilience, we’re helping farmers lead the way in shaping a modern, sustainable agricultural sector”.
Minister Eagle added that the ADOPT fund forms part of the government’s Industrial Strategy commitment to invest at least £200 million into the Farming Innovation Programme by 2030, advancing its wider Plan for Change.
ADOPT fund
As part of the investment, one project led by J&E Graham will trial peat-free composts produced from short rotation coppice willow grown in agroforestry systems and blended with locally sourced materials.
J&E Graham’s project will test different compost mixes as growing media to assess performance and suitability, with the aim of cutting reliance on peat and artificial fertilisers.
Another project, which is being led by WS Furnival Limited, will explore whether older farm machinery can be adapted to reduce emissions.
The project will assess the feasibility of retrofitting a 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”.
Additionally, a project led by GJ Jelley & Sons, will trial a Farm Digital Twin Platform on two contrasting beef and sheep farms.
By using drone imagery, farm records, and on-farm testing, the project aims to support nutrient planning, environmental monitoring and day-to-day farm management.
Innovate UK
The ADOPT fund, which is delivered by Defra in partnership with Innovate UK, is a £20 million programme for the 2025/2026 financial year that aims to support farmer-led innovation.
Dr Stella Peace, who is the 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.”
