Head to NAEC Stoneligh in Warwickshire for this year’s show, the UK’s premier technical show for farmers, growers and agronomists.

Join us to hear more about plans for the new proposed Agri-Tech Catapult at a free breakfast event at the Oxford Farming Conference on Friday 5 January.

Catch up with our dairy specialists at Dairy-Tech is a tailored Dairy Event for the new generation of dairy farmer, manager and technician at Stoneleigh.

Established by the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, the Catapults are a network of world-leading technology and innovation hubs. They are independent, not-for-profit, private organisations transforming the UK’s capability for innovation in sectors of strength. Their purpose is to accelerate the application of research and further develop new technologies so they can be scaled up and realised.

Catapults provide businesses of all sizes with access to their expertise and facilities, enabling them to test, demonstrate and improve their ideas. By fostering collaborations between industry, government, research organisations, academia and many others, Catapults help to create the best environments for innovation.

Bridging the gap between research and industry, Catapults help tackle the biggest challenges that society and industries face today. Through their knowledge, infrastructure and collaborations, Catapults make today’s industries more productive and create the markets of tomorrow.

We are working on a proposal for an Agri-Tech Catapult that would drive forward responsible agri innovation at unprecedented levels, securing society’s supply of nutritious food, fuel and fibre, stimulating economic growth for the UK and beyond. 

Based on a strong foundation, this would continue to be an independent entity that the entire agri systems supply chain can trust for leadership and guidance.  Connecting research, industry and policy in an innovation ecosystem that develops and delivers evidence-based solutions at scale, to benefit business, society and the planet.

There are no Catapults currently focused on the agri industries.  Development of this proposal demonstrates recognition of the importance of this sector by government, with valuable support through Innovate UK. 

Several of the existing Catapults have expertise and experience within the agri sector, along with technologies that will form part of the innovative solutions required to address major challenges.  Our new merged capability will benefit from this expertise whilst providing greater focus on solutions for the industry.

The Centres will continue operating, providing a high level of service to Members and other partners until the new merged business is implemented, with the anticipated date April 2024.  There will be a transition period from now until April as work progresses to shape the future organisation, engaging with partners to ensure it will deliver their needs, but all current workstreams and projects will be maintained.

The new merged business will maintain a focus on all areas of Crops, Livestock and Engineering, as well as exploring new sectors within the wide area of food, feed, fuel and fibres.  It will retain and attract sector specialists, with the expertise and passion for all areas of the agri eco-system.

Yes, each Centre is fully committed to delivering all their existing projects and completing their agreed plans and objectives for the current year to March 2024.

The innovative longer-term projects that extend into April 2024 and beyond may be transferred into the new business and completed in line with the project agreements.

Our proposal for an Agri-Tech Catapult will ensure a thought leadership programme of activity to influence positive change across the sector, actively engaging with industry, academia and government to drive innovation and R&D.

Exciting plans are being developed to accelerate agri-innovation – including providing opportunities for industry and academia to work together on new ideas in open innovation groups. This will ensure that the industry is in a position to rapidly respond to both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

There is already a thriving pipeline of projects in all phases of development and delivery, and this will be accelerated with the new business.

The team shaping the proposal for a new Catapult pride themselves on addressing industry needs with evidence-based research and innovation.  An essential part of developing the future strategy and business plan will be creating opportunities for existing and future partners to provide input and identify key priorities.  

Continuous engagement will be at the heart of how the new entity operates – to ensure that ways of working actively gather industry, academic and stakeholder input at every opportunity.

As with the existing Catapults, any new Catapult would be supported by both government funding, delivered through Innovate UK, and commercial income, secured through the provision of products and services aligned with the new organisation’s Purpose, Mission and Vision.

The new merged business will help accelerate innovation, grow businesses and sectors, and stimulate additional private sector investment in R&D in the UK.

The new merged business will be focused on supporting economic growth for the UK – but will work with businesses of all sizes both in the UK and internationally.  It’s important that the organisation addresses local, national challenges.

Additionally, with support from other Government departments and industry, our proposal for an Agri-Tech Catapult will help to provide UK businesses with opportunities to export and develop technologies and solutions that will also benefit developed and developing countries to enhance inward investment.

If you are interested in finding out more about our plans , please do get in touch by submitting an enquiry.