Agritech will help feed an growing world

The challenge is feeding this growing population “while nurturing the planet will be a monumental challenge”, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation - and it will be technology that plays a vital role in stabilising food security.

Integrating more technology into agriculture is extremely exciting and takes our industry to the next level, with other forward-thinking, technically advanced sectors. Education on new techniques, accountancy, marketing and the use of innovative technologies will help to make agriculture a more enticing and exciting sector to work in – and will attract those young professionals back into the industry.

This helps not only with progression, with fresh new ideas, skills and talent, but presents sustainability and succession planning for the agricultural sector.

Rural businesses are aware that by utilising technology, business service providers/innovators/ entrepreneurs and farmers can cut costs, increase productivity and efficiency and improve data transparency.

Access to superfast broadband is an ongoing struggle for many rural businesses, with connectivity often unreliable, disrupted and not to the high speeds of urban areas. This is a challenge for rural businesses who increasingly trade, store data and interact digitally – and likewise with the rise of agritech, access to fast broadband is critical.

According to the National Farmers Union, the government has already committed to making the UK the best-connected country in the world, by ensuring that there is the necessary targeted funding and regulation to allow the accelerated roll out of universal superfast broadband and a reliable mobile phone network.

Based at the Royal Agricultural University, Farm491 is an AgriTech innovation and incubation facility for all types of agribusinesses that may be growing activity with technology applied to it. This can include horticulture, aquaculture and forestry industries, as well as agriculture.

The enterprise hub helps start-ups and established businesses to grow; converting ideas, products and concepts into reality. With a diverse range of entrepreneurs looking to apply a technology solution to the agricultural sector, Farm491 is facilitating growth and enterprise across the UK.

The latest project for Farm491 is its Inspiring AgriTech Innovation programme. Based around a two-day boot camp, the initiative will deliver business support to agritech entrepreneurs and agritech SMEs with a business idea that brings innovative technology to agriculture. Participants in the programme will receive advice on topics such as an introduction to agritech, identifying the need, product development, leadership, metrics, market research, prototyping, business structure and finance. Innovators can find out more about IAI by visiting the Farm491 website.

Verity Payne, Farm491