Farming is fundamental to the bioeconomy as a source of renewable feedstocks, but it is also a major source of carbon emissions. Agri-tech innovation is helping to transform food production, with the goal of achieving net-zero carbon and the UN sustainable development goals. As a leading UK agricultural region, Yorkshire and the Humber is at the forefront of food production, low-carbon R&D and applied innovation.
World-class research and development
Leading universities
Centre for Novel Agricultural Products
The Centre for Novel Agricultural Products uses plant and microbial sciences to develop sustainable industries and enhance food security.
Fera Science
At Fera Science, 350 scientists work across the agri-food supply chain to tackle the challenges facing UK agriculture.
Stockbridge Technology Centre
The Stockbridge Technology Centre provides advice, technology, innovation and education to the horticultural sector.
The National Pig Development Centre at Leeds
The National Pig Development Centre at Leeds is the UK’s largest facility for pig research, development and knowledge transfer.
Agri-tech initiatives
N8 agri-food research initiative
The N8 agri-food research initiative combines the efforts of eight universities to foster resilience across the global agri-food supply chain.
Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock
The Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock pursues livestock production and product quality research to deliver improved food quality and farming systems.
Centre for Crop Health and Protection
The Centre for Crop Health and Protection focuses on applied crop science, particularly chemical science, soil science and precision farming.
Grow Yorkshire
Grow Yorkshire aims to harness innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience to cultivate agricultural enterprise.
Agri-tech innovation
Drax
Drax’s carbon capture utilisation and storage incubation area hosts start-ups focused on transforming CO2 into materials, including sustainable animal feed proteins.
Precision Decisions
Precision Decisions offers precision farming services and has created a ‘Hands Free Farm’ where crops are planted, grown and harvested without human contact.
N2 Applied
N2 Applied’s plasma technology allows the farmer to recycle nitrogen to produce their own fertiliser at scale with reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
This is a sample of the region’s agri-tech innovation – talk to us to find out more.
Our region is home to over 11,000 farming, forestry and fishery enterprises.
