The UK government is investing £2.3 million in farmer-led trials to evaluate green farming technology, digital tools, and low-emission equipment on operational farms
UK farmers are at the forefront of adopting advanced, environmentally sustainable farming technologies as a result of a £2.3 million government investment in farmer-led innovation trials. This funding will support thirty projects that will test low-emission machinery, digital platforms, and data-driven tools under real farm conditions, with the objective of increasing productivity and reducing environmental impact. The programme seeks to expedite the implementation of practical agri-tech solutions and enhance the long-term resilience of UK agriculture.
Advancement of green farming technologies
Thirty projects will receive funding through the government’s ADOPT Fund, which is designed to facilitate the development and testing of innovative ideas in operational farm environments. These projects will focus on lower-emission machinery and digital tools to enhance daily farm management.
The ADOPT programme, with a budget of £20 million for the 2025-2026 financial year, supports farmer-led innovation and is delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. The scheme ensures that new technologies are rigorously tested on farms prior to broader implementation.
One project benefiting from the funding, led by J&E Graham, will trial peat-free compost made from short rotation coppice willow grown in agroforestry systems and blended with other local materials. Different compost mixes will be tested as growing media to assess performance and suitability, with the aim of cutting reliance on peat and artificial fertilisers.
W.S. Furnival Limited will conduct a project to retrofit an older Massey Ferguson 290 tractor to operate on green methanol. This initiative will assess the feasibility of converting diesel tractors to green methanol as a low-carbon alternative, particularly in situations where electric tractors are not viable.
DigiTwinFarm, led by G J Jelley & Sons, will trial a Farm Digital Twin Platform on two distinct beef and sheep farms. The project will utilise drone imagery, farm records, and on-farm testing to support nutrient planning, environmental monitoring, and daily farm management.
Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle said: “By backing innovative ideas that boost productivity and resilience, we’re helping farmers lead the way in shaping a modern, sustainable agricultural sector.
“This Fund sits at the heart of our Industrial Strategy and is turning brilliant ideas into real-world solutions.”
Dr Stella Peace, Managing Director and Executive Director for Healthy Living and Agriculture Domain at Innovate UK, said: “Innovate UK is working with Defra to deliver ADOPT, taking technology to the next scale and into adoption.
“By supporting farmer trials, ADOPT aims to strengthen the UK’s leadership in sustainable agri‑tech, advance productivity and build more resilient food systems.”
