Cornish farmers are turning to a new generation of agricultural technology as pressure grows to produce more efficiently, improve productivity and manage the daily demands of modern farming.
According to ITV News West Country, farmers in Cornwall are increasingly embracing agri-tech to boost yields, with innovations ranging from slurry-scraping robots to fertiliser-spraying drones now forming part of the conversation around the future of farming in the Duchy.
The report, published on Thursday 4 June, highlighted how technology is moving from the margins of agriculture into the working reality of farms, where automation and precision systems are helping producers tackle practical, everyday challenges.
For livestock farmers, slurry-scraping robots offer a clear example of how automation can reduce repetitive manual labour while supporting cleaner, more efficient working environments. By taking on one of the less glamorous but essential jobs on farm — and let’s be honest, slurry scraping is hardly the red-carpet end of agriculture — the technology can help free up time and improve consistency in farm management.
In the field, fertiliser-spraying drones point to the growing importance of precision agriculture. Rather than relying solely on conventional machinery, drone technology can help farmers target applications more accurately, supporting crop performance while potentially reducing waste and improving efficiency.
The ITV report comes as Cornwall’s farming community gathers around one of the county’s most important agricultural moments of the year, with the Royal Cornwall Show returning to Wadebridge. The event, described by ITV as the Duchy’s largest agricultural show, provides a natural backdrop for discussions about how farming is changing and what producers will need to remain resilient in the years ahead.
While Cornwall remains deeply rooted in traditional farming, the adoption of robotics, drones and data-led tools shows how quickly the sector is evolving. These technologies are not replacing farmers; they are increasingly becoming part of the farmer’s toolkit, helping businesses make more informed decisions, reduce labour pressure and improve productivity.
For Agritech Future, the significance is clear. Cornwall’s agri-tech story is not about futuristic concepts waiting in the wings. It is about practical innovation already finding its way on to farms, from the yard to the field, and helping producers adapt to a more demanding agricultural landscape.
As farming faces continuing challenges around labour, input costs, climate pressures and food production, the Duchy’s embrace of agri-tech offers a glimpse of a more efficient, more resilient future — one in which robots, drones and farmers work side by side.
