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 this week.

The projects announced include ground-breaking genetics research projects which could reduce methane emissions in cattle by 17% per generation, and produce a reliable UK-grown protein source that can replace soya in human foods

Investigations into the use of drones and artificial intelligence to inspect and monitor animals to enable farmers to take action should animals go missing or need attention are also to be funded, alongside efforts to develop biopesticides using fungal strains that help tackle pests in wheat crops, and to pin-point the genetics for creating slug resistant wheat.

Alongside the £30 million set to be awarded to more than 50 successful projects, 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.”

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.

Founder of HeavyFinance, Laimonas Noreika, commented on the announcement, saying: “The farming industry must come together to reduce the environmental impact it is having globally, and it is positive to see the UK government intervening to help support those who are taking steps to increase sustainability within the sector. COP28 must be kept top of mind by all industries and farmers specifically have the capability of making impactful changes, but only with the right support behind them.”

“Financial support must now be shown towards this industry as they not only fight to reduce their own carbon footprint, but to become climate positive to absorb CO2 emissions created in other sectors. It is an industry we all benefit from and without the correct backing, farmers will struggle to do their bit to support sustainability initiatives and help us to achieve net zero. Often, people are not against sustainable business, but simply lack the necessary resources and we must all come together, individuals, businesses, and governments to support the industries in need.”

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.”