Innovation event showcases Lincolnshire’s leading role in agri-food developments.
Agri-food innovators from Lincolnshire took centre stage at a major showcase event designed to highlight cutting-edge technologies that could transform the future of food production in the UK.
Our region already had a worldwide reputation as a leader in food production and innovation when it helped attract Innovate UK’s £7.5m Easter England Launchpad programme in 2023.
Now, through the programme, that's been led by Lincolnshire County Council's UK Food Valley team, 49 pioneering businesses across the region, including 10 based in Lincolnshire, have been supported to develop and accelerate innovations across the sector.
This innovation showcase event marked the culmination of that programme. And, investors, industry leaders and innovators in attendance were all keen to meet the businesses behind exciting agri-food projects, see their technologies in action, and explore opportunities for partnerships and investment to drive a path towards future commercialisation.
Just some of the innovative Lincolnshire-based projects showcased were:
- Fairman Knight and Sons’ feasibility study into the UK’s first commercial-scale insect farm, supporting low-carbon protein production. (Holbeach)
- TH Clements and Sons’ CauliGrowth system, using predictive technology to optimise harvest timing and reduce food waste. (Boston)
- UTAP, developing a blockchain-based cattle tracking system for transparency from farm to fork. (Alvingham)
- AVGO Biotech, exhibiting their pharmaceutical grade calcium carbonate extracted from waste seashells. (Grantham)
- NFU Energy’s collaboration with the University of Lincoln, exploring the potential to use geothermal and novel glass coating technologies to improve controlled environment agriculture efficiency and productivity. (Lincoln)
The UK Food Valley Team run the Launchpad Programme for Eastern England
Effie Warwick-John, UK Food Valley Programme Manager, said: “There was a real buzz in the room for the event. It was a fantastic showcase for the impact of the Launchpad programme, the strength of innovation in the sector, and highlighted Lincolnshire's position at the forefront of agri-innovation.
“These innovations don’t come out of nowhere, there’s dozens of fantastic individuals and companies who help to drive their ideas into reality, and through this programme we’ve helped bridge that gap between initial concepts and the ready-for-commercialisation technologies that we’ve showcased here.
“In celebrating these achievements with the projects on display, we’ve helped to connect innovators, investors, and businesses who can move forward, working together, to convert these industry innovations to industry standards.
“This event shows that our support works, and we’re keen to continue helping new and existing businesses progress, attract investment and commercialisation opportunities, and boost our agri-food sector and local economy.
Jack Ward, Director of the British Growers Association, said: “In a sector where margins are often slim, we look for certainty, and this naturally hits investment into new and emerging technologies.
“By helping innovators in their early stages, the Launchpad programme de-risks investment for businesses and gives the sector confidence to take advantage of the great ideas coming forward.
“From this event, there’s been a number of robotic harvesting projects that have really stood out for me, as seasonal labour has been a huge issue for the fresh produce industry.
“Programmes like this are really important to keep bringing through these innovations to a commercial scale, and are increasingly needed as we should be looking to reduce our reliance of imported food and develop stronger food security.”