Time, agriculture and the climate are themes of the REAP21, presenting emerging agri-tech solutions for Net Zero.
The passing of time gives crops, livestock – and even companies – time to mature. As REAP 2021 advances on us, it’s time to celebrate the recent successes of three home-grown companies in our membership which demonstrate how the UK’s agritech ecosystem is growing up.
Technologies are available now with the potential to radically change the harvest next year – agri-tech that can automate not just the processes but also manipulate the crop’s response to time and environment.The big question for farmers and growers is where should the priorities be for developing and investing in agri-tech?
The prestigious Timothy Colman Prize 2021 has been awarded by the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association to Dr Belinda Clarke for her outstanding contribution to the development and promotion of food, farming and the countryside.
Virtual models of the real world are helping farmers, growers and breeders to understand the complex interconnections between crop, environment and markets.
“The changes to soil health have been remarkably rapid”, says Dr Lydia Smith, Head of Innovation Farm & Innovation Hub NIAB, who is hosting one of the Agri-Tech Week 2020 events; many of which will discuss new findings.
REAP 2020 is a virtual conference. This creates the opportunity for REAP exhibitors to benefit from AI facilitated brokerage, ensuring they gain maximum value from interaction with the vibrant agri-tech innovation ecosystem.
The agri-tech innovation pipeline remains full, and the need for activities to help showcase new, evidence-based opportunities to farmers has probably never been stronger. However the relationship between tech developer and early adopter needs to managed carefully to ensure both partners gain mutual benefit.
Smartbell won the 2016 GROW agri-tech competition with their e-business plan. Four years on, co-founder Veena Adityan shares how the company is still reaping the benefits.
FarmingData won the 2017 GROW agri-tech business plan competition and co-founder Jacqui Poon says the process was highly beneficial to the company. “Since winning GROW, we have had the opportunity to develop our initial prototype at an accelerator, and have combined this development with networking opportunities with those interested in the agri-tech space.”
Do you want to understand the agri-tech sector? This unique one-day course offers an introduction to the agri-food industry and the opportunities it offers. It will be of interest to anyone new to the industry including players from other sectors.
For many the rapid changes created by digital technologies, across all areas of agriculture from plant and animal breeding to application of plant protection products, can be a bit of a mystery, so Agri-Tech East has invited a selection of tech savvy farmers, researchers and entrepreneurs to give their vision of One Agriculture at REAP sofa session.