Robot revolution hits the fields as £20 million funding announced
The UK government has announced £20 million in funding for farm robots and automated systems to assist with planting, tending, and harvesting crops, addressing seasonal labor shortages.
The funding, part of the £53 million Farming Innovation Programme boost, aims to support businesses, researchers, and farmers in developing next-generation automation technologies. Projects will focus on tasks such as seed planting and fruit picking, reducing reliance on seasonal workers during peak harvest periods. The initiative builds on previous investments, with £123 million allocated for farming research and technology this year. Innovators are encouraged to collaborate across sectors to accelerate practical solutions for English agriculture.
Fieldwork Robotics, a company already advancing raspberry-picking robots, is among those benefiting from government funding. The firm is enhancing its technology to improve durability and commercial viability. The government highlights the role of automation in improving farm productivity and resilience, aligning with its Farming Roadmap. Partnerships with Defra and Innovate UK are central to delivering these innovations, ensuring they address real-world agricultural challenges.
The competition expands beyond crop automation to include livestock applications, such as Roboscientific’s DETECT project. This technology uses breath analysis to detect bovine respiratory disease early, reducing financial losses for dairy farmers. The funding also supports ornamental plant propagation, forestry projects, and woodland management systems, broadening the scope of automation in agriculture. Applications are open to a wider range of horticultural and forestry innovations, reflecting the government’s commitment to diversified agricultural solutions.
Delivered through the Farming Innovation Programme, the £20 million round is part of a £200 million government pledge to invest in farming innovation by 2030. Innovators can apply via the Innovation Funding Service website, with funding intended to bridge the gap between concept and on-farm deployment. The initiative underscores the government’s focus on modernizing English farming through technology and collaboration.