£12.6 Million Boost for UK Farming

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🌱 Innovation Funding Announcement: £12.6 Million Boost for UK Farming

The UK Government has unveiled a £12.6 million investment to supercharge agricultural innovation, supporting farmers and agri-tech developers through two new competitions under the Farming Innovation Programme. Dubbed a “Dragons’ Den for farming,” this initiative aims to tackle real-world challenges—reducing costs, improving animal health, and addressing seasonal labour shortages—by backing cutting-edge ideas like robotic strawberry pickers and early-warning cattle health systems.

Opening this autumn, the funding includes:

• Small R&D Partnerships (£7.8m): For later-stage projects ready to move closer to market (opens 15 September)
• Feasibility Studies (£4.8m): For early-stage concepts exploring viability (opens 13 October)

Delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, this announcement forms part of the Government’s broader £11.8 billion commitment to sustainable farming and food production.

🔗 Read the full announcement on GOV.UK