£45m available in innovation grants from Defra

The UK government is providing a cash boost of £45.6m for farming through three separate funds, which aim to increase profits, increase food production and help protect nature.

From robots carrying out delicate fruit picking and health monitors for cows and sheep, to variable irrigation systems to maximise water usage on crops – Defra farming minister Daniel Zeichner said the government is “delighted” to get money to British farmers.

See also: Advice on preparing early for new farm grant funding applications

“This £45m will support them with technology to boost food production, profits and the rural economy,” he said.

Part of the government’s Plan for Change, the cash injection is set to support multiple research and development projects.

These will bring cutting-edge technologies into real-world use and help farmers reduce on-farm emissions, as well as capitalise on new opportunities provided by the Precision Breeding Act.

Access to funding

Farmers looking to test new technologies on their own farms and bridge the gap between innovation and real-world application, can apply for the new Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) competition.

The fund will commit up to £20.6m for 2025 – 2026. Applications open from 28 April.

To help farmers through the application and trial process, they can also access tailored advice and apply for a £2,500 support grant at the ADOPT Support Hub. You can register your interest now on the FarmPEP website

From 5 May, two further competitions will open under the Farming Innovation Programme (FIP). 

The first £12.5m will support collaborative research into ways to reduce on-farm emissions, helping farms to become more sustainable and climate-resilient.  

The second £12.5m competition will fund R&D using precision-bred crops to improve yield, reduce chemical inputs and enhance disease resistance, building on the opportunities provided by the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023.

NFU reaction

Welcoming the announcement, the NFU said these funds will play a vital role in supporting on-the-ground investments in farm businesses.

“Similar investment by Defra in agri-technology has proven to have real benefits in increasing productivity and animal health and welfare on farm.

“This is why it’s so important that the government secures a £4bn annual agriculture budget for England at the spending review,” said NFU deputy president David Exwood.