The funding will support initiatives looking to boost food production and work towards net-zero emissions. In addition to the £30m, an extra £12.5m has been made available to fund initiatives that contribute to a more productive, resilient, and sustainable agricultural sector. 

The £12.5 million is part of an ‘On-Farm Environmental Resilience’ competition, allowing farmers to apply for up to £1m to develop new farming methods with practical solutions. The money will be awarded to projects focused on driving environmental resilience on farms, such as detecting pests, managing diseases, reducing fertiliser use, and enhancing soil resilience.

All £42.5m available in funding is part of the Farming Innovation Program, which is run in partnership with UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), and delivered by Innovate UK. The program will be making a total of £270 million available in grants.

“Farmers are always forward-looking, and innovation is key to driving forward a resilient, productive and sustainable agriculture sector that puts food on our tables whilst protecting and restoring the environment,” said Thérèse Coffey, secretary of state for agriculture. 

According to the most recent agri-climate report, agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have decreased across the board in the past 30 years. With a survey showing that over two thirds of farmers consider GHG important to consider during a business decision. 

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In this vein, one of the projects receiving funding is conducting genetic research to reduce methane emissions in cattle by up to 17% per generation. Both mitigating the environmental impact of farming and bolstering a reliable UK-grown protein source. 

Katrina Hayter, executive director Healthy Living and Agriculture of Innovate UK said: “The competitions once again demonstrate the sheer breadth and quality of innovation within the UK agri-food space.

“We’re proud to be able to help deliver these funding and partnership opportunities to the sector, bringing together farmers, growers, technologists and researchers in a common aim of making the UK food system more sustainable and resilient.”

Farmers are still able to apply for the £12.5m On-Farm Environmental Resilience competition until 19 July. Details can be found here.