Defra Unveils £12.6m Innovation Fund to Boost Farming Technology

The government has unveiled a substantial £12.6 million investment targeting agricultural innovation, geared toward bringing cutting-edge tools and systems into everyday farm life. Delivered in partnership with Innovate UK through the Farming Innovation Programme, the initiative is being billed as a “Dragons’ Den for farming.”

Among the forward-thinking technologies previously supported under this programme are robotic strawberry harvesters and early-warning systems for detecting livestock health issues - proof of the scheme’s focus on practical, farm-ready solutions.

Support for innovation through two new competitions:

• Small R&D Partnerships (£7.8 million)
  Opens on 15 September 2025, these funds are intended for later-stage projects that have already shown promise and now need support to move closer to commercial roll-out.
• Feasibility Studies (£4.8 million)
  Beginning on 13 October 2025, this competition targets early-stage ideas, testing whether they can be practically applied and have real-world potential.

Supporting farmers during the application process, each competition includes a consortia-building event - on 18 September for R&D partnerships and 14 October for feasibility proposals, to help applicants find collaborators.

These moves are part of a broader £11.8 billion commitment toward sustainable farming and food production, forming a central part of the Labour government’s so-called “New Deal for Farmers” strategy. The aim? To support higher productivity, more resilient supply chains, and stronger returns for farm businesses.

Voices from the Field

Defra’s Farming Minister, Daniel Zeichner, emphasised the goal: providing “farming businesses the tools they need to thrive.” He reiterated how the partnership, backed by investors and technology developers, helps enhance farm resilience, productivity, and profitability.

Meanwhile, the success of the Hoofcount system - a camera-based innovation that identifies hoof-related lameness in dairy cows early - highlights the programme’s tangible benefits, reducing vet bills and improving yield.