Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to support the (a) development and (b) use of innovative technology in farming in Staffordshire.

The Farming Innovation Programme is Defra’s programme for supporting research and innovation in farming. Its investment in innovative technology from concept to deployment aims to derisk adoption and widen access. Support was reinforced with the Modern Industrial Strategy, published last year, which committed to spend at least £200 million by 2030.

The Programme aims to benefit English farmers and growers, therefore, farmers based in Staffordshire are in scope. Funding opportunities are promoted through multiple channels, including Press Notices, The Programme website and Defra’s Farming Blog.

At the February NFU conference the Government announced £70 million to support agri-tech research and development investment from 2026 with £50 million for the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund to help farmers adopt new technology, cut emissions and boost productivity.