Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs announces further funding for agri-tech growth at AEA Conference

AEA AGM, Conference & Luncheon

A very special guest: Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal addresses the AEA Conference

It was a true honour and a privilege for us to have Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal join us at the AEA Conference on Tuesday, and for her to address our audience during the speeches.  We feel it was an amazing end to the 150^th year celebrations. We will be able to offer a little more insight next week when our official release is approved, but for now a huge thanks to Steve Gibbs of Service Dealer magazine for such a lovely write-up.  ROYAL VISIT AEA CONFERENCE

Dame Angela Eagle DBE, Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, announces further funding new plans for agri-tech growth at AEA Conference

We were especially delighted for the farming minister to attend, who in her speech, clearly recognised the importance of the Agri-tech sector, alluding to its recognition as a priority sub-sector within Advanced Manufacturing in the Government’s Industrial Strategy. She took the opportunity to announce a new £5 million round of Defra’s Farming Innovation Investor Partnerships competition, opening next month.

Speaking at the AEA Conference, the minister confirmed the further funding round for 2026 to 2027, intended to drive more private investment into agri-tech growth. The scheme supports businesses developing innovations that are close to market for use on farms. It combines funding from government with private investment from more than 150 experienced investors in Innovate UK’s Investor Partner Pool. The aim is to help bring practical, farm-focused innovations into everyday use. The funded projects will focus on improving productivity, reducing costs and supporting more sustainable farming.

The latest round is backed by £5 million of government and previous competitions have attracted private investment worth around five times the government input. The next round of the competition will open for applications on 11 May, closing on 17 June. Applicants must be UK-registered SMEs and have projects costing between £750,000 and £3 million, lasting for up to 18 months. Further details about how to apply will follow shortly (the previous version can be found here).

Defra have also issued a reminder that the closing date for applications under the 2026 round of the Farm Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) is midday on Tuesday 28 April. This is likely to be the final round of FETF funding in its current form.