Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle has announced £48 million of public and private investment to fast-track technologies for farmers.
The funding will deliver up to 12 innovative tools to farms, helping farmers produce more while cutting labour, energy and fertiliser use.
£8 million is government funding and £40 million comes from the private sector.
FA Bio’s project is developing a “living” biopesticide that uses beneficial fungi to protect wheat and oilseed rape from destructive pests like aphids and cabbage stem flea beetle.
Rhizocore is identifying the most effective native fungi to help trees establish and thrive, improving survival rates in forestry and agroforestry while accelerating carbon capture and supporting woodland recovery.
The minister also confirmed a further £5 million Government springboard funding round for 2026 to 2027, seeking to drive more private investment into Agri-Tech growth. This will support the next generation of high-potential agri-tech businesses to scale up and deliver for farmers, helping to build a more profitable, productive, resilient and sustainable farming sector.
Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle said: "Farmers know the right tools can make all the difference.
"This investment is about getting practical, proven technology into their hands faster – whether that’s improving animal health, cutting costs or making day-to-day jobs easier.
"By backing innovation with both public and private funding, we’re supporting farm businesses to boost productivity, strengthen resilience and help secure the future of British agriculture."
Head of Agrifood at Innovate UK, Chris Danks, said: "The success of this latest round shows how Investor Partnerships help high‑potential UK businesses grow and scale by combining public grant funding with private investment, turning great ideas into commercial success.
"By launching a new round, we are continuing to back innovation that gives farmers access to practical, scalable technologies that improve productivity, resilience and sustainability, while also supporting long‑term economic growth.
"This approach accelerates commercialisation, builds investable businesses, and helps crowd in private finance for the benefit of the UK economy."
