World demand for food is expected to grow by 60% to feed a rising and more prosperous global population.
Food producers in the UK and China need to supply what we eat in a more sustainable and efficient way, reducing pollution, minimising waste and improving soil conditions.
The UK is a global leader in the technologies that will help to achieve this including in:
- environmental management
- earth observation
- sensors
- big data
- artificial intelligence
- robotics
The UK Government's Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund Transforming Food Production Challenge has up to £90 million to help businesses invest in new data-driven precision-agriculture technologies that could transform food production.
Innovate UK, as part of UK Research and Innovation, has up to £5 million from the fund to invest in UK businesses undertaking joint projects with Chinese partners to develop new integrated precision farming technology that helps towards achieving a sustainable position of net-zero emissions.
The Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China is investing a similar amount to support the work of Chinese partners.
