British farmers are being handed fresh opportunities to drive sustainable agriculture, with the UK government committing £2.3 million to on-farm trials of innovative agri-technology. The funding — part of the government’s ADOPT Fund — will support 30 farmer-led projects testing greener machinery, digital tools and other low-emission solutions under real operational conditions.
The aim of the programme is simple but ambitious: gather practical evidence of what works on the ground before technologies are rolled out more widely, helping farms cut emissions, boost productivity and build resilience. Delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, ADOPT sits within a wider £20 million innovation budget for the 2025–26 financial year.
Among the projects to benefit, J&E Graham will trial peat-free compost made from short rotation coppice willow blended with local materials, testing whether it can reduce reliance on peat and artificial fertilisers.
Another trial, led by W.S. Furnival Limited, is converting an older Massey Ferguson 290 tractor to run on green methanol, exploring a low-carbon alternative for machinery in cases where electrification isn’t yet practical.
Meanwhile, DigiTwinFarm — a collaboration involving G J Jelley & Sons — will deploy a Farm Digital Twin Platform on beef and sheep farms. Using drone imagery, farm records and on-farm testing, the platform aims to enhance nutrient planning, environmental monitoring and day-to-day management.
Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle said the initiative will help farmers “lead the way in shaping a modern, sustainable agricultural sector,” while Innovate UK highlighted the role of these trials in strengthening the UK’s agri-tech leadership and future food system resilience.
