AgriTech season launched to support British Farming
Farm491, the Cirencester-based AgriTech incubation hub, has launched an AgriTech Season in collaboration with the Royal Agricultural University (RAU).
 The season, taking place February through to April, will consist of a series of conferences and workshops, with the focal two-day event, ‘Agritech & The Future of British Farming’, culminating on the April 4 and 5. The series of events will address topical and critical issues surrounding AgriTech and will assess its fundamental impact on the sustainability of British food and farming.
The first event, which attracted a full house, focussed on the importance of soil to food security, took place in February. A second conference followed on preparing farming for climate change which was co-hosted by Russ Carrington from Pasture for Life. and organisation that champions the virtues of grass-based farming and meat production.Â
AgriTech Season: Looking ahead to March and April
Other events in the AgriTech season include ‘BioVoices Motivation & Mutual Learning (MML) Workshop’, organised by Minerva and will take place at Farm491’s £4.2 million Alliston Centre. Invitees to the MML include start-ups and SMEs producing a range of AgriTech products, research and development opportunities working on AgriTech innovation, policy and best practice developers and regulators, plus NGOs representing interested civil society groups.Â
On April 2-3 there will be an Insect Conference co-organised by Farm491 member, Multibox. The first day will address insects for animal consumption and day two will focus on human consumption. T
The season will with ‘AgriTech and the Future of British Farming’ on April 4-5. This showcase event will be held at Farm491’s Harnhill Workshops and RAU Rural Innovation Centre in Cirencester. The event will feature commercial tech showcases, industry debates, on-farm demonstrations and much more. The event will explore the potential implications of new technologies such as robotics, sensors, digital platforms, indoor farming and innovative integrated systems responding to current on-farm challenges. This is an open event and delegates can purchase tickets for £5 each.
Verity Payne, Centre and Events Manager, Farm491, said; “Agriculture is amid a digital revolution. We feel technology has a critical role to play. By supporting agri-business entrepreneurship and helping to develop new skills, agritech will help to convert agricultural innovation into commercial success and profit. Incubation hubs such as Farm491 assist with business growth, idea development and provide crucial mentoring, academic knowledge, practical working space and expert guidance."
