The UK government has announced a funding initiative to provide support for the agriculture and horticulture industries in Shropshire. A key aspect of this initiative is the provision of up to £50 million to finance the development of new technology aimed at transitioning packhouses to fully automated systems.
Over the next 12-18 months, the funding will be utilized to commence work on a selection of major packhouses, with the objective of identifying areas where support is necessary to ensure the widespread viability of automated systems. Further information regarding the allocation of funds for 2024-25 and 2025-26 will be disclosed later this year.
Furthermore, an extension has been granted to the seasonal worker visa route, providing businesses with an additional five years to facilitate the transition towards automation and reduce reliance on migrant labour. A total of 43,000 visas will be allocated to the horticulture sector in 2025, along with an additional 2,000 visas for poultry. Details regarding the number of visas available for the years 2026 to 2029 will be released at a later date.
The government has also expressed its commitment to collaborating with technology companies to expedite the development of robotic crop harvesters, with the aim of achieving capabilities on par with human pickers within the next three to five years.
The government will also be working in conjunction with various initiatives and departments to enhance the appeal of careers in the food and drink sector among domestic workers. This includes efforts to showcase the diverse opportunities available and to provide the necessary skills for employment in the food and farming industries. To support these objectives, seed funding has been provided to establish the Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH), a new industry body focused on promoting professional career development.
Environment Secretary Steve Barclay emphasized the importance of this funding initiative, stating, “We have a world-class food and drink sector, and the measures announced today will strengthen this by boosting funding for cutting-edge technology that will reduce reliance on migrant labour in the long term. Businesses do best when they can plan effectively for the future.”
This initiative follows on from the Prime Minister’s commitment earlier this year to provide ‘the largest ever round of farming grants’. It also precedes the upcoming second annual Farm to Fork Summit, scheduled to take place at Downing Street on 14 May 2024.
The funding initiative announced by the UK Government demonstrates a significant investment in the future of the agriculture and horticulture industries, underlining the government’s commitment to supporting the evolution of these sectors and the advancement of technology to improve efficiency and sustainability.