Extra funding for UK horticulture growth

By Rob Blair, Partner and ARA specialist

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed a new tranche of funding to help boost home-grown fruit and vegetable production.

The Farming Innovation Programme (FIP) will offer up to £12.5 million of additional funding to the UK horticulture sector to help it invest in technology.

This fund is available to support research and development projects that enable the use of robotics and greater automation within this industry.

Opening in January 2023, this will match-fund projects that push economic growth and bring food security. Projects will also be assessed on their commitment to the environment, according to Defra.

To help boost market share, Defra will appoint an industry expert to tackle any barriers and identify opportunities for development within this scheme.

Due to be appointed this year, this horticulture champion will create recommendations and policies that bolster growth in this sector.

“Technology offers huge opportunities to make farming greener and more productive, so we should harness it to help grow the economy, create jobs and improve food security,” said Ranil Jayawardena, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affair.

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