Key Takeaways
- Thirteen innovative projects in Mid and North Wales have received funding to address key challenges in agri-tech and food technology.
- A new funding competition opens on June 30, offering additional support for businesses in these sectors.
- Innovate UK emphasizes the importance of small-scale funding in fostering innovation and enhancing sustainability in agriculture.
Innovative Projects Transforming Agri-tech in Wales
A transformative wave of innovation is emerging in Mid and North Wales, supported by Innovate UK’s Nurturing Innovation in the Agri-tech and Food Technology Cluster. Thirteen pioneering businesses have secured funding through the Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) route, aimed at small-scale research and development projects that promise to revolutionize food production and farming.
Among the funded initiatives, Agroceutical Products Ltd is tackling the dual challenge of underutilized Welsh sheep wool and the growing demand for eco-friendly lubricants through its Wool2Lube project. Amped Pcr Ltd is enhancing food safety with a smart data dashboard for rapid pathogen detection. Similarly, Arcitekbio Ltd’s XyloPrO-CX project seeks to convert waste into eco-friendly sugar alternatives.
Chitexo Limited plans to create a mealworm biorefinery model that transforms local food waste into sustainable poultry feed, while Cleobury Project Management focuses on producing a sustainable fertilizer from food waste to enhance soil health. Conwy Kombucha Ltd, in collaboration with Phytoquest, is crafting a smart brewing system for health-boosting Kombucha.
Other notable projects include AI-supported crop yield forecasting from Data Dynamics Ltd, and a novel blood test by Diagnostig Ltd for early detection of Johne’s disease in cattle. Neurabotics Ltd examines the potential of robotics to alleviate labor issues in fruit farming.
Pennotec aims to develop healthier food ingredients using local crops, while Terrafarmer Agriculture Ltd will test natural products to improve soil and reduce chemical use. The Functional Ageing Nutrition Beverage Innovation project by Ymchwil Tetrim Research Cyf focuses on combating malnutrition in older adults with high-protein food products. Lastly, Yr Ardd Fadarch Eryri Cyf explores the production of bioethanol from mushroom farming waste.
Barbara Green, Project Manager for the Agri-Tech and Food Cluster Management Organisation, highlighted the significance of MFA awards in spurring innovation. Louise Jones from Innovate UK expressed satisfaction with the diversity of funded projects, emphasizing the urgent need to address challenges in food and sustainability sectors.
A new funding competition will commence on June 30, offering further opportunities for agri-tech and food-tech businesses to gain financial support. Interested businesses can register for an informational webinar on July 3, which will provide guidance on applying for funding.
For more information about future funding opportunities or joining the Agri-Food and Food Technology clusters, businesses can visit the Growing Mid Wales website.
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