The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, which was launched in June, specifically champions agritech under the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan as one of eight priority sub-sectors for growth (the IS-8), as well as promoting the need for faster technology adoption in the Technology Adoption Review. The UK Food Valley welcomes the strategy, which aligns with Greater Lincolnshire’s ambitions to grow its agritech and food chain sectors by both supporting the use of technology and promoting faster adoption of technology by farmers and the food chain.

The Industrial Strategy included recognition of the University of Lincoln’s role as a leading agritech innovation institution within the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan of the Strategy, which aims to unleash potential of city regions and clusters across a range of high-growth industries.

The University of Lincoln is internationally recognised for its leadership in agri-robotic innovation, controlled environment agriculture and research commercialisation.  Director of the Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology (LIAT), Professor Simon Pearson, said: “This is a defining moment for agri-tech innovation in the UK, and we strongly welcome the Government’s recognition that robotics and agri-technology are vital to the resilience, sustainability and competitiveness of the UK food systems.

“To be mentioned in a major government strategy as a key innovator within agrifood and technology highlights the fact that LIAT has become a leader within the industry and is a testament to the continued hard work and commitment of our team.  We will continue to be at the forefront of driving growth within the agritech sector, and the recognition of this strategy continues to align our priorities with the government’s vision for how skills and innovation can underpin the economic success of key industrial sectors and regions.”

The university is working in partnership with the Universities of Cambridge and East Anglia to tackle food security, global food prices and supply chain issues across the East of England, with new programmes to commercialise agritech launching shortly.  This builds on the LINCAM partnership which has expanded its research into robotics and artificial intelligence across the Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire region.

Recognition in the Industrial Strategy comes after the university was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Further and Higher Education in 2023 for the work of the Lincoln Institute for Agrifood Technology.  LIAT was also featured in an exhibition in the House of Commons in January 2025, and in March the Lincoln Agri-Robotics team won the Best Research Project at the UKRI Trustworthy Autonomous Systems Hub 2025 AI and Robotics Research Awards.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Lincoln, Professor Neal Juster, said: “We are proud to be recognised in the national industrial strategy for our innovations in agri-tech which are shaping the future of the UK’s vital food and farming industries.

“This acknowledgment highlights the university’s ongoing commitment to pioneering high quality, impactful research and sector-leading approach to industry engagement. Our mission is to be an engine for regional and national growth, and we will continue to pursue research and innovation which helps businesses face real-world challenges and opportunities here in Lincolnshire and across the UK."