LONDON, Dec. 15 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
British farmers are driving the next wave of greener, smarter farming, withnew technologytrials tackling emissions,productivity,and resilience, announced today (Monday 15 December) by Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle.
Backed bynearly£2.3millionacross 30projectsthrough the first round ofthe government'sADOPT Fund,the trials explorenew ideasin real working farm conditions, from lower emission machinery to digital tools that support day-to-dayfarm management. The programme is designed to generate practical evidence about what works on farms before wider take-up.
One project 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 assessperformance and suitability, with the aim of cutting reliance on peat and artificial fertilisers.
Alongside this, W.S. Furnival Limited willtest retrofitting an older Massey Ferguson 290 tractor to run on green methanol, assessing whether conversion could offer a practical low carbon alternative where electrification is not yetviable.
DigiTwinFarm, led by G J Jelley & Sons, will also trial a Farm Digital Twin Platform on two contrasting beef and sheep farms, using drone imagery, farm records and on farm testing to support nutrient planning, environmentalmonitoring,andday to day farm management.
Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle said:
"By backing innovative ideas that boost productivity and resilience,we'rehelping farmers lead the way in shaping a modern, sustainable agricultural sector.
"This Fund sits at the heart of our Industrial Strategy andareturning 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 sustainableagri‑tech, advance productivity and build more resilient food systems."
ADOPT,deliveredin partnership with Innovate UK,is a£20 million programme for the 2025 to 2026financial yearsupporting the next wave of farmer-led innovation. By funding practical trials, the government aims to ensure thatnew technologiesareproperlytestedon farms before wider take up.
The fund forms part of the government's Modern Industrial Strategy commitment to invest at least £200 million into the Farming Innovation Programme by 2030, advancing its wider Plan for Change.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
