Agri-tech has potential to boost farm profits: Report

Agricultural technology has the potential to boost UK farm profitability but political uncertainty is delaying investment, claims NFU Mutual.

The rural insurer’s Agri-tech Report, published today, claims the latest technological developments could benefit the environment and improve soil health, while the use of robotic equipment could make farming safer.

However, political uncertainty and concerns over future support are holding back farmer investment in the latest technological developments.

“Across the world new agri-technology is set to make a major impact on farm profitability and even world prices,” said NFU Mutual business analyst, Fang Wang.

“In the UK, adoption of new technology is currently slow because of uncertainty over agricultural policy and support, lack of understanding, shortage of capital and concerns about the reliability of first-generation technology.”

Ms Wang recommended a “whole of farm” approach to planning future agri-tech investment to ensure new systems integrate with the existing farm system.

Advice in the report includes reviewing the farm’s strategy to identify how technology can help you achieve your goals, keeping up to date with developments, and working with other farmers to achieve economies of scale with new technology.

NFU Mutual director and Worcestershire fruit and hop grower Ali Capper said: “From the use of ‘big data’ to inform management decisions to autonomous tractors and robotic pickers, we are on the cusp of a world where farmers and growers can minutely manage inputs to maximise production and use automation and robotics to reduce labour numbers and costs.”