New £21.5m government funding will support 15 farm innovation projects in England, from precision-bred crops to low-emission technologies that boost productivity and sustainability
The UK government has announced £21.5 million in new funding to support 15 farm innovation projects across England, aiming to turn research into practical tools that boost productivity, cut emissions and strengthen resilience.
Backed by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Innovate UK, the programme features projects like precision-bred crops and climate-ready hemp.
Leading farm innovation projects
The funding will help turn research into tools farmers can use directly.
The successful projects include:
- ‘Sunshine Tomato’ (provitamin D₃): Researchers are using precision breeding to develop tomatoes rich in provitamin D₃, aiming to improve nutrition and address vitamin D deficiency.
- Low-emissions fertilisers for dairy: This project will replace half of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser with biological alternatives to cut nitrous oxide emissions, improve soil health, and enhance nutrient management on dairy farms.
- Climate-resilient industrial hemp: Researchers have developed high-value hemp varieties for poorer land that tolerate climate change, potentially generating new income from less productive farmland.
Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle said: “Innovation is central to a more productive, resilient farming sector.
This funding will back new ideas farmers can use on the ground to cut methane and fertiliser-related emissions, strengthen crop resilience, and improve nutrition.
It’s part of our Plan for Change to support rural growth and long-term food security.”
Dr Stella Peace, Managing Director at Innovate UK, said: “Working alongside Defra, Innovate UK is ensuring precision breeding and low emission technologies move swiftly from research into real‑world use, enabling farmers and agri businesses to grow, compete, and unlock new economic opportunities across the UK’s food and farming sector.”
ADOPT fund and future innovation initiatives
The funding supports the government’s commitment to invest at least £200 million in agricultural innovation by 2030. This latest funding follows the £2.3m investment in December through the first round of the government’s ADOPT fund.
The ADOPT fund will support thirty projects testing low-emission machinery, digital platforms, and data-driven tools on real farms, aiming to increase productivity and reduce environmental impact.
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.”
