The ADOPT programme (Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies), part of the UKRI Farming Innovation Programme, is designed to support practical, on farm trials and demonstration projects in England, with funding of up to £100,000 available. The focus is on real world challenges being faced by farmers and growers to include improving productivity, reducing costs, trialling new technologies, exploring sustainable practices or increasing resilience within farming businesses.

Importantly, farmers and growers are placed at the centre of the process. The programme encourages collaboration between producers, researchers, advisers and industry partners to test ideas in practical farm settings and share learning across the wider sector.

For a region such as Greater Lincolnshire, where agriculture, horticulture, food manufacturing and agri tech are already closely linked, ADOPT could provide another route to accelerate innovation already happening across the UK Food Valley ecosystem.

The ADOPT Support Hub exists to help applicants shape ideas, understand the process and access support around applications and delivery. Facilitator Support Grants are also available to help businesses develop project proposals.

ADOPT: new funding rounds open – The Farming Blog