AGRI-TECH is 'essential' for food security and sustainability, was the messaged conveyed at the South West AgriTech Showcase last month. 

The event, held on March 21 at the Westpoint Arena, near Exeter, included a range of speakers, new innovations and an indoor marketplace.

It bought together people from across the agri-tech industry to showcase technology which could be used to increase productivity and sustainability. 

Chair of South West AgriTech, Joanna Rufus, said: “We realised that sustainability and food security are important in the current environment - which is challenging both physically, economically and politically. 

“The event was a fantastic success, with a sold-out marketplace showcasing the latest innovations, and a jam-packed agenda which prompted plenty of discussion between speakers and attendees.”

At the event, speakers suggested that agri-tech innovations can help improve farming processes and therefore help to make the industry more sustainable. 

“A world where we will always be able to source food from around the world to meet our needs with Deliveroo or Just Eat has been shattered,” said Karl Tucker, chair of the Great South West Partnership.

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; the conflicts in Gaza, Sudan and Haiti; Donald Trump; Covid; the impact of climate change and adverse weather patterns; along with many other factors, are making our politicians wake up to the real world we’re now living in.

“Agri-tech, in its widest sense, is essential to help drive innovation and performance, both in agriculture and in the wider food supply chain.

South West Farmer:

“Innovations like automation, the use of satellites, data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning and soil testing all help to improve performance in terms of efficiency, productivity, yield, waste reduction, reducing chemical use, improving biodiversity and sequestering carbon.”

The theme of the event was focused on the challenges regarding agri-tech, mainly the commecialisation and adoption of it. 

Phil Bicknell, CEO at the Agri-Tech Centres, added: “Agri-tech itself has existed in bubbles; it’s been close to academia or science but it hasn’t fixed the problems that farmers and the industry face. 

“Focusing on the problem we’re trying to fix much earlier; the viability and the feasibility of technologies will help us effectively accelerate businesses through that growth – taking great ideas, helping them scale up and ultimately roll out.”

Sponsor of the event, Satellite Applications Catapult (SAC), is working to address these issues.  

Joel Freedman, head of innovation services at SAC, said: “There is a gap between the private sector, the innovators, entrepreneurs, and the end users - so what we’re trying to build a bridge between them.

"Ultimately the Environmental Space Living Lab (ESLL) is a place where innovators can test out products and services in the real world. 

“There are facilities available for businesses and end users who are looking to understand more about the technologies and get support in developing them.”