Defra (The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has partnered with UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) to launch the Farming Innovation Programme.
The scheme aims to support farmers and businesses to innovate, maximise productivity and improve sustainability in their operations. Defra has made £17.5 million available to contribute towards the first round of the three funds which make up the programme.
The first fund, which was launched on 20th October, is open to the Industry-led Research and Development Partnerships fund. This is where farmers, growers, foresters and businesses can bid for funding to develop new technologies and practices that help them to overcome challenges.
Early next year, Defra will launch the Farming futures Research and Development Fund, which is aimed towards tackling climate change by reducing the environmental impact of farming.
The final fund, Projects to Accelerate Adoption Fund, will launch later in 2022 and will be targeted towards farmer-led projects. This fund’s purpose is to trial the viability of new innovations on farms.
The programme will support ambitious projects in England’s agricultural and horticultural sectors and guide the sectors towards net zero.
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