- Call for Updated Agri-Tech Strategy: Agri-TechE’s “Back to the Future” report highlights the need for a refreshed government agri-tech strategy to address evolving priorities such as climate-smart agriculture, biodiversity preservation, and sustainable productivity.
- Challenges in the Sector: The report identifies key hurdles, including outdated regulatory frameworks, difficulties in scaling innovations, limited secure revenue streams, and growing skepticism among farmers due to unfulfilled promises.
- Broader Role of Agriculture: The report emphasizes agriculture’s contributions beyond food production, including its role in ecosystem services and as a source of industrial feedstocks for biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and other sectors.
- Optimism for Future Innovations: Promising technologies such as conversational AI, precision sensors, genetic tools, and clean energy solutions hold potential to revolutionize agriculture, but a clear government strategy is essential to unlock their full impact.
A revitalized government agri-tech strategy is essential to unlock the full potential of agriculture and horticulture, enabling them to address evolving societal priorities, according to a new report from Agri-TechE.
The report, titled “Back to the Future,” commemorates the 10th anniversary of the not-for-profit membership organization and provides a comprehensive overview of the successes and challenges stemming from the original 2013 AgriTech Strategy.
Based on input from over 70 contributors, the report emphasizes the need for updated government policies to maintain momentum and tackle emerging issues in the agri-tech sector. Among the concerns highlighted are changes in the investment landscape, difficulties in scaling innovations, inadequate revenue streams, and regulatory frameworks lagging behind the pace of technological advancements.
Dr. Belinda Clarke, Director of Agri-TechE, stressed the importance of a renewed strategy to address these issues. “The 2013 strategy brought fresh energy, investment, and innovation to agriculture and horticulture, but the landscape has shifted dramatically. A new strategy is vital to ensure the sector evolves to meet pressing priorities such as climate-smart agriculture, reversing biodiversity loss, and aligning productivity with environmental sustainability,” Dr. Clarke said.
The report also calls for government recognition of agriculture’s broader contributions beyond food production, including ecosystem services and the provision of industrial feedstocks for biofuels, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and construction.
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“Agriculture is a cornerstone of the bioeconomy,” Dr. Clarke noted. “We need policies that reflect its critical role and provide a clear roadmap to inspire confidence, attract private investment, and drive innovation.”
Challenges Highlighted in the Report
- Regulatory Hurdles: Current regulations are failing to address emerging trends like biological products. Early engagement with regulators is essential to align innovations with policy frameworks.
- Scaling Innovations: Developers face difficulties in scaling solutions, which could benefit from government support, such as contracts or subsidies, to nurture emerging industries.
- Farmer Fatigue: Unrealistic promises about technology impact are leading to skepticism. Farmers increasingly demand reliable, proven solutions rather than experimental technologies.
Innovative Technologies on the Horizon
Despite the challenges, the report highlights a wealth of promising advancements, including:
- Conversational AI for data-driven decision-making.
- Sensors to optimize plant nutrition and performance.
- Genetic tools for developing plants and animals with desirable traits.
- Satellite imaging, GPS navigation, and clean energy solutions such as anaerobic digestion and ground-source heat pumps.
These innovations have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve biodiversity, and ensure water quality.
“The agri-tech community is optimistic about the next decade,” Dr. Clarke concluded. “However, a refreshed strategy will provide the clarity needed to fuel transformative progress and ensure long-term success.”
Agri-TechE’s report underscores the urgency of government intervention to ensure agri-tech innovation meets the challenges of the future, fostering a sustainable and thriving agricultural sector.
