Firms Urged to Invest in Agri-tech Across Greater Lincolnshire
To further cement Lincolnshire’s reputation for agriculture and food production, the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is urging businesses to invest in agri-technology and investigate funding.
The call comes as the University of Lincoln has recently created the Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology, a collaborative project that brings together various university departments and experts. The university is also holding an event on 10th November at its National Centre for Food Manufacturing (NCFM) in Holbeach to encourage innovation and investment.
Showcasing Developments in Agri-food Technology will feature practical demonstrations and informal presentations, but will also explore the potential application and transformational capacity of new technologies.
Demonstrations will include the use of robotic mobile manipulation with potential cross-sector application from Dr Andrea Paoli and Enrico D’Alessandro from the Lincoln School of Engineering.
Speeches will also be delivered by key industry figures, including Philip Garford of Garford Farm Machinery Ltd who will give a keynote speech on robot weeding technologies.
Professor Val Baybrooks, Dean of Holbeach and the University of Lincoln’s NCFM, said: “This event will appeal to anyone with an interest in emerging technologies in the food chain and potential funding sources to support innovation.
“It will run alongside Agri-Tech Week which will address the challenges faced by the agri-food chain through a series of events hosted across the eastern region.”
The Greater Lincolnshire LEP is encouraging businesses in the sector to collaborate and invest in such technology. Those seeking funding for these kinds of projects and associated business growth are being encouraged to email enquiries@greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk or call 01522 550540.
Agritech specialist Ian Munnery from SESVanderHave said: “With Lincolnshire being a centre for food production for much of the country, businesses need to consider investment in technology to remain competitive and successful.
“The LEP can signpost businesses to the various sources of funding that are available.”
Meanwhile the AgriTech East cluster, the largest initiative in the UK to specifically link farmers, innovative companies and researchers working on agricultural innovation, is being promoted within the county.
Mark Tinsley, who leads on agricultural issues for the LEP, said: “I am delighted to see the cluster being introduced to Lincolnshire. If you are interested in new ideas to manage water or soils, the use of precision agriculture or want to explore what big data is, all this and much more is accessible through one network.
“For busy businesses the cluster helps you meet the right people, understand the support which is available to support new technology and make the connections to drive forward your own business.”
The Showcasing Developments in Agri-food Technology event takes place on 10th November from 9.30am to 2pm at the University of Lincoln: Holbeach Campus, Park Road, PE12 7PT. Tickets are free but must be booked via Eventbrite: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/showcasing-developments-in-agri-food-technology-tickets-18777511041. Or call the National Centre for Food Manufacturing on 01406 493000.
Notes to Editors:
• The Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership is a private and public sector partnership led by the private sector which aims to improve conditions for infrastructure and doing business in the Greater Lincolnshire area.
• One of the first LEPs to be established in the UK, the Greater Lincolnshire LEP covers a large geographical area with a population of over one million and a diverse range of industries, from ports and logistics to farming, tourism and engineering.
• It includes North and North-East Lincolnshire and the administrative county of Lincolnshire and is controlled by a LEP board made up of leading figures in the public and private sector.
• Visit www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk for more information.
For media information please contact:
Jez Ashberry
Shooting Star
01522 528540
07780 735071
jez@weareshootingstar.co.uk
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