A new partnership which aims to boost growth in Wales’ agritech sector is calling for companies, organisations, academics and researchers to get involved.
M-SParc and AberInnovation have launched AgriTech.Cymru, a cluster established to bring agritech businesses together and to identify collaborations and funding sources to drive ideas forward.
It comes as UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has launched a funding opportunity or “launchpad” which invites UK-registered small and micro businesses to apply for a share of up to £400,000 for projects which grow their innovation activities in the agritech and food technology cluster in mid and north Wales.
Pryderi ap Rhisiart, MD of M-SParc, said:
“The development of the agritech sector provides an opportunity for us to build on the strengths of the area, to listen to the needs of the agricultural community and develop innovative solutions to address them.”
The partnership defined agritech as: “the application of technology to produce more, using less – for example, using a robot with sensors to target specific weeds in a crop, rather than spraying a whole field with pesticides using large machinery, or using technology on animals to monitor behaviour and actions rather than walking out to check them every hour.”
The cluster is due to meet at M-SParc and online on June 14 at 1pm to learn more about the UK Research and Innovation funding opportunity. It is inviting businesses to attend to explore the latest advancements in farming practices, sustainability, and cutting-edge solutions.
Dr Rhian Hayward, CEO of AberInnovation, said:
“We’re delighted to partner with M-SParc on the agritech cluster which builds on the natural strengths of both organisations. AberInnovation is serving a range of clients in agriculture, food and the circular economy. Together with the announcement of the UKRI Launchpad we’re well placed to contribute to developing this sector.”
You can register to attend the next AgriTech Cymru event either online or in M-SParc at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/agritech-cymru-tickets-916153579017?aff=oddtdtcreator
