Sowing the seeds of innovation: Technology key to driving growth

The pace of change has been rapid, and the implications are profound—not just for productivity but also for sustainability, resilience and the very nature of rural work.

To get a better idea of this transformation and find out how more farmers and growers can make the most of the opportunities technology are bringing, we spoke with Martin Collison, a leading voice in agri-tech innovation.

With a background that spans commercial farming, academia and government consultancy, Martin has spent decades studying and actively shaping agricultural change. His consultancy, Collison & Associates, helped draft the UK agricultural technologies strategy in 2012–2013, and he continues to work closely with the University of Lincoln on cutting-edge research and training.

“It isn’t just about doing the science,” Martin says. “It’s about getting it out onto farm and making it work.”

The digital revolution on the farm

When the UK’s agri-tech strategy was first developed, digital tools were only beginning to make their mark on farming as technologies—such as GPS and variable rate systems—were being brought together. Fast forward to today and the landscape has changed dramatically.

Martin says: “We were just really at the start of the digital age in terms of its use on farm. That has absolutely exploded.”

Sensors, data analytics and robotics are now commonplace in many farming operations. These tools are improving efficiencies and enabling better environmental stewardship. Data on soil moisture, livestock health, and crop yields are now fairly common, with many businesses already getting real-time data on these in their operations. The integration of these technologies is helping to address critical challenges such as climate change, water use, and carbon emissions.

AI and the next frontier

It may be no surprise that Martin believes artificial intelligence (AI) could likely be the next big leap. At the University of Lincoln, Martin is involved in a program training 60 PhD students specifically in AI for agri-tech.

“AI helps us take multiple sets of data, combine them and then allow the farmer to really make a decision,” he says.

This kind of decision support is crucial in an industry where timing, precision and adaptability can make or break a season. AI is already being used to optimise irrigation, detect pests and even guide autonomous machinery.

Barriers to adoption: skills, signals, and systems

Despite the promise of technology, adoption is far from universal. Martin identifies several blockers which are slowing progress.

First, there’s the skills gap. Many farmers lack the training to use new tools effectively.

“It isn’t enough just to buy it. You have to learn the best way to use it – the skilled way, the safe way,” he says.

Second, connectivity remains a major hurdle. While broadband access has improved in rural offices, many technologies now require robust 5G coverage in the fields – something that’s still lacking in many parts of the UK.

“We haven’t rolled out 5G as fast as we really needed to. As we do that, it will open up the possibilities to embrace all sorts of new types of technology.”

Third, regulatory inertia has held back some of the most promising innovations, particularly in genetics. Although the UK is beginning to diverge from EU restrictions, implementation is still in its early stages.

The power of collaboration

It can be tempting to write off new technologies as being expensive distractions from the main work of farming and growing – especially when there’s a lack of understanding of the benefits these technologies can offer.

Similarly, it can be understandable that small farms may struggle to make the most of these new technologies, given the variety of skills and amount of capital needed to make the most of them.

But Martin’s absolutely clear that there are opportunities for all profitable farmers and growers to improve efficiencies in their businesses – and that often collaboration is the key to unlocking those benefits.

“We need to work as part of a supply chain. We need to learn from other businesses within that supply chain and share some of their skills and expertise.”

This collaborative approach can also help address the gap in so-called ‘soft skills’ – skills such as communication, adaptability and learning how to learn. These are just as critical as technical know-how when it comes to modernising a business.

Measuring success beyond the bottom line

When it comes to evaluating new technologies, Martin urges farmers to look beyond simple cost-benefit analysis.

“Some of the benefits are about margin,” he says. “But there are benefits that go much wider than that.”

Martin says these benefits include:

• Health and safety improvements, by automating dangerous tasks
• Better work-life balance, as seen with milking robots that can free up farmers’ time
• Environmental gains, such as reduced pollution and better compliance with regulations

It’s also important to consider the secondary benefits of technology. For example, weeding or harvesting technologies might also provide valuable insights into soil and crop health, allowing growers to better map the quality of their fields and apply nutrients to reflect that.

Looking ahead: A future of change and opportunity

Martin is optimistic about the future, but also realistic about the challenges.

“We’re just at the start of enormous change,” he says. “It’s not just to do with technology.”

He points to a confluence of global events—COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, Brexit, and extreme weather—that are reshaping the agricultural landscape. These pressures are forcing the industry to become more productive, more efficient and more sustainable.

“The technology agenda is what will allow us to do that and still thrive.”

However, not all businesses will find it easy to adapt. Smaller operations, in particular, will need support – whether through collaboration, training or policy.

“All of the policy drivers, all of the market need is for the UK to produce more of its own food. And the only way we can do that efficiently is by embracing technology.”

The future of farming and growing is digital, data-driven and deeply collaborative. And Martin is confident many of the tools we need are already here,  but the real work lies in making them accessible, usable and impactful for every farmer and grower.

With the right support, the sector can not only meet today's challenges but also sow the seeds for a more resilient and sustainable tomorrow.