UK Government Backs £50 Million Push to Bring AgriTech to British Farms

Key Takeaways

• The UK Government has announced around £50 million in combined public and private investment to accelerate agri-tech adoption on UK farms.
• The funding will fast-track up to 12 innovative technologies, backed by £8 million in government grants and £40 million in private investment.
• Technologies include a fungal biopesticide for wheat and oilseed rape from FA Bio, and native fungi-based tree establishment solutions from Rhizocore.
• A further £5 million government springboard funding round has been confirmed for 2026–27 to support the next generation of agri-tech businesses.
• The programme is delivered through Defra's Farming Innovation Programme in partnership with Innovate UK.

UK Government's Farming Innovation Programme Backs 12 Agri-Tech Breakthroughs

The UK government has announced approximately £50 million in public and private investment to accelerate the commercialisation of agricultural technologies for British farmers. Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle made the announcement at the Agricultural Engineers Association Conference, confirming that up to 12 innovative tools will be fast-tracked to farms through the Farming Innovation Programme’s Investor Partnerships initiative. The funding combines £8 million in government grants with £40 million in private investment, using a blended finance model that requires projects to secure private backing as a condition of receiving public support.

Nature-Based and Precision Technologies Among Recipients

Several funded projects focus on biological and nature-based solutions. FA Bio is developing a fungal biopesticide applied at planting that could provide season-long protection against pests including aphids and cabbage stem flea beetle in wheat and oilseed rape — reducing reliance on repeated chemical applications. Rhizocore is identifying native fungi strains best suited to help trees establish and thrive in different soil environments, with applications in forestry, agroforestry, carbon capture, and woodland recovery.

Innovate UK Highlights Commercial Scale-Up Focus

Chris Danks, head of agrifood at Innovate UK, said the programme is designed to turn high-potential ideas into commercial successes by combining public grants with private investment. He noted that the approach accelerates commercialisation while helping to build investable agri-tech businesses and attract private finance into the sector.

UK Government Confirms Additional £5 Million Round for 2026–27

Alongside the main announcement, the Minister confirmed a further £5 million government springboard funding round opening in spring 2026 for the 2026–27 period. The round will target the next generation of high-potential agri-tech businesses, helping them scale and deliver practical tools to farmers. The programme aims to build a more productive, profitable, and sustainable farming sector across the UK.