As we emerge from one of the driest summers on record, there is a greater awareness of the complexity of the decision-making facing farmers. For example, water shortage will decimate crops, but fuel costs are increasing – so is the rising price of the potato sufficient to justify more irrigation? And if so, by how much?
To properly understand how innovations such as smart irrigation, AI decision support, plant breeding and remote crop monitoring might assist the farmer in the field, technology developers and researchers need to gain a working knowledge of on-farm operations, the value chain and the impact of market pressures.
Agriculture 101 provides insider guide
Agri-TechE aims to support farmer-centric innovation that provides real-world solutions to agricultural challenges that are fit for purpose. It has developed the event Agriculture 101 (sponsored by Innovate UK) to provide newcomers (at any level) with an overview of this exciting and dynamic industry.
Laura Bouvet, Knowledge and Innovation Facilitator at Agri-TechE explains: “The aim of Agriculture 101 –now in its fourth year – is to grasp the shape and dynamic of the industry, to meet some key players from across innovation, practice and funding and to better understand how to access the industry.
“This event aims to give people who are new to agriculture, perhaps as a career or a sector, a wider context for their work. It is all about hearing the discussion and gaining insights and a feeling for the direction of the industry.”
The day starts with an overview from three farmers from different sectors:
- Rosie Begg is farm director at Gorgate Farms, blackcurrant growers for Ribena and others. Rosie’s interests also include regenerative farming.
- John Barrett is a director at Sentry Farming, one of the largest farming companies in the UK.
- Luke Palmer is director of FC Palmer and Sons. He is a fenland farmer who has invested in a water management system, tillage trials, solar energy generation and a robotics system for potato packaging.
A big picture view will be given by speakers including Guy Smith, an Essex farmer and former chair of the National Farmers Union, and Molly Biddell, Policy Analyst at Savills Research. They will be discussing some of the recent developments impacting farming businesses, such as the change in subsidies, the impacts of Brexit and the conflict in Ukraine.
For companies looking to pilot projects with farmers, Robert Crook, Innovation Lead at Innovate UK, will talk about some of the funding options for technology companies, and Michael Gifford, Head of Commercialization at NIAB, will discuss technology transfer.
Agri-Tech entrepreneurs share learnings
A number of entrepreneurs will also share their learning experiences of working with the agricultural sector:
- Jon Williams, Public and Governmental Affairs Manager at BASF
- Eric Hewitson, Business Development Manager at Wyld Networks
- Kate Brunswick, Business Development Director at Innovation Agritech
The day is rounded off by Max Macgillivray of Beanstalk, who will be talking about future scenarios.
Agriculture 101 takes place on 15th September 2022 in Cambridge. Find out more information on agri-tech-e.co.uk.
Agriculture 101 is sponsored by Innovate UK.
