The government has announced it will fund several farming technology projects, including robotic crop harvesting technology and an autonomous cow bedding system.

Each of the projects, which also include more environmentally friendly methods to cultivate potatoes, will receive a share of the £9.13 million investment.

The government said the move would help boost agricultural productivity, sustainability, and climate resilience.

“It’s important that we fund projects like these – and those still to come in future rounds – as we support farmers to deliver sustainable food production and protect the environment,” said farming minister, Mark Spencer. “Innovation, research and development will help keep the sector at the cutting edge of technology as we look into the future.”

The three projects are being supported by the Large R&D Partnership competition, which is part of the government’s £270 million Farming Innovation Programme.

The funding its part of the government's wider pledge to spend £600 million on grants to provide support for farmers to invest in productivity, animal health and welfare, innovation, research and development over a three-year period.

The money will come from the £2.4 billion annual farming budget, which is being maintained at its current level for the rest of this current Parliament.

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