UK Government Allocates £20 million for Farm Robotics and Automation

The UK government announced a £20 million fund, administered through the Farming Innovation Programme and Innovate UK, to develop robotic and automated technologies for planting, tending and harvesting crops. Farming Minister Stephen Morgan said the investment will help farms cope with seasonal labour shortages, boost yields and support British ingenuity. The funding is part of a wider £53 million injection that brings total agri‑tech spending to £123 million this year, contributing to a pledge of at least £200 million in farming innovation by 2030. Businesses developing agri‑robotics, including projects for ornamental plants, forestry and woodland management, can now apply for a share of the money.