Key Takeaways
- Funding allocated to enhance innovation and sustainability in the agri-tech and food-tech sectors in Mid and North Wales.
- Various projects aim to improve health, efficiency, and environmental practices in food production and agriculture.
- Innovate UK supports these initiatives, fostering collaboration and growth within agriculture and food technology.
Regional Agri-Tech Initiatives Receive Funding
Funding approval for multiple projects aims to boost innovation and sustainability in the agri-tech and food-tech sectors across Mid and North Wales. The initiatives are designed to tackle public health challenges, improve regional farming techniques, and promote environmentally friendly practices.
Among the funded projects, Yr Ardd Fadarch Eryri (The Snowdonia Mushroom Garden) plans to create a vegan jerky made from nutritious mushrooms, addressing health issues related to high salt and trans-fat intake, and catering to the flexitarian market. Pant Du is set to launch a Welsh heritage Apple Cider Vinegar, utilizing surplus apples to enhance health benefits and promote sustainable food production.
Pasture Farming Ltd’s Tirlun.ai will introduce a mobile Learning Management System to modernize farm training in Wales. This platform will allow farm owners to create customizable instructional videos, enhancing productivity and skill development in agriculture.
Fungi Foods is implementing automated production processes for mushroom cultivation, aiming to meet the rising demands of supermarkets while supporting small-scale growers. Bionerg Ltd will assist sheep farmers by promoting the sustainable use of locally produced biochar to enhance soil fertility, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional fertilizers.
UK Hospitality Solutions Ltd plans to develop ready meals using locally sourced ingredients, showcasing precision farming and eco-friendly practices to support regional sustainability. Dyfi Dairy Ltd aims to implement a renewable energy-powered mobile milking parlour, aligning with the dairy industry’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Moreover, LanoTech Ltd is investigating the potential of lanolin as an alternative fat source for animal feed, aiming to boost food security while creating value within the UK wool industry. Lastly, Ymchwil Tetrim Research is set to innovate ginger processing to explore its uses in food and drink products.
Barbara Green, Project Manager for Mid and North Wales’s Agri-Tech and Food Cluster, highlighted the collaborative spirit these projects reflect, emphasizing their transformative potential for the economy and environment. Louise Jones of Innovate UK echoed this sentiment, expressing pride in supporting the Agri-Food Tech clusters and the positive impacts these initiatives promise for the region.
The Cluster Management Organisation will oversee these activities and encourage other businesses to participate in the Agri-Food and Food Tech clusters, thereby accessing resources and future funding opportunities. More information is available on the Growing Mid Wales website.
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