Agri-Tech Grants & Smart Farming Tax Relief UK

Funding Innovation in Sustainable Agriculture and Agri-Tech

The UK’s agri-tech sector is advancing rapidly, driven by the need to increase productivity, sustainability, and food security. From precision farming and robotics to biotechnology and data analytics, innovation is transforming the agricultural landscape. Businesses developing new agri-tech solutions may be eligible for a combination of Agri-Tech Grants and Smart Farming Tax Relief through the UK’s R&D tax credit system.

FI Group works with agri-tech companies and agricultural innovators to unlock this funding potential, combining deep technical expertise with decades of experience in securing R&D incentives and innovation grants.

Public Grant Funding for Agri-Tech Innovation

Agri-tech innovation is supported by a number of UK and European grant schemes that focus on food system resilience, net-zero agriculture, and advanced production technologies. These grants aim to de-risk early-stage R&D and support collaboration across the agricultural value chain.

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Key Areas of Funding:

Precision agriculture (sensors, drones, GPS-enabled machinery)
Farm automation and robotics
Sustainable inputs (bio-fertilisers, alternative proteins)
Soil health and regenerative practices
Controlled environment agriculture (vertical farming, smart greenhouses)
Data platforms and AI for crop and livestock management

Grant Opportunities:

Innovate UK Farming Futures R&D: Collaborative R&D projects targeting net-zero and resilience
DEFRA Farming Innovation Programme: Multiple rounds of funding for technology-driven farm productivity
EIT Food and Horizon Europe: Cross-border calls focusing on sustainable food and agri-tech innovation
SBRI Agri-Food Challenges: Funding for feasibility studies and prototype development from public sector partners

FI Group assists in identifying the right opportunity, building a strong bid, and managing compliance throughout the grant lifecycle.

Grants Writing Service

Grant Opportunities:

Innovate UK Farming Futures R&D: Collaborative R&D projects targeting net-zero and resilience
DEFRA Farming Innovation Programme: Multiple rounds of funding for technology-driven farm productivity
EIT Food and Horizon Europe: Cross-border calls focusing on sustainable food and agri-tech innovation
SBRI Agri-Food Challenges: Funding for feasibility studies and prototype development from public sector partners

FI Group assists in identifying the right opportunity, building a strong bid, and managing compliance throughout the grant lifecycle.

Grants Writing Service

Agri-Tech & Smart Farming

Grants

Discover the latest innovation grants driving agri-tech advancements and smart farming solutions to enhance sustainability and productivity in UK agriculture.

Advanced Notification Form (ANF) for R&D Tax Relief: A Helpful Guide

Smart FarmingTax Relief

Smart Farming Tax Relief (R&D Tax Credits for Agriculture)

Much of the R&D conducted in modern agriculture qualifies for UK R&D tax relief — particularly where technical challenges arise in applying new technologies to farming or food production.

Eligible R&D Activities in Agri-Tech:

Developing or adapting autonomous machinery for varied terrain
Integrating sensors and data platforms for crop optimisation
Engineering new feed, fertiliser, or irrigation technologies
Tackling problems of scale, efficiency, or compatibility in smart farming systems
Improving energy efficiency or reducing emissions in agri-production processes

Whether you’re an agri-tech startup or an established agricultural engineering firm, these activities could form the basis of a valid R&D tax claim.

Relevant Schemes:

SME R&D Tax Relief: Enhanced deductions and repayable credits
RDEC / Merged Scheme: For large companies or where grants are received
Intensive R&D Support: Increased support for loss-making, R&D-intensive SMEs

FI Group will help you assess eligibility, calculate qualifying costs (including trials, prototyping, and technical design), and ensure documentation meets HMRC standards.

What Makes a Farming Project Eligible for R&D Relief?

A project may qualify if it:

Seeks to solve a technical or scientific uncertainty, e.g. how to reduce emissions without compromising yield
Requires design, test, and refinement stages that are not readily deducible
Uses experimentation to develop new agricultural systems, processes, or equipment

Our specialists that include engineers, plant scientists, and agri-tech consultants work with your technical team to build a defensible, high-quality claim.

Combining Agri-Tech Grants with R&D Tax Relief

These two forms of funding can work together:

If you receive a Notified State Aid grant, the relevant project must use RDEC rather than SME relief
However, self-funded costs or other qualifying R&D may still be eligible under more favourable SME terms
FI Group structures claims to ensure full compliance and maximum total funding

By planning ahead, we help you integrate your grant and tax credit strategy effectively.

Why Choose FI Group for Agri-Tech Funding?

Expertise in agriculture, environmental technologies, and digital farming
Proven success in winning grant funding for smart farming innovation
End-to-end R&D tax relief support from eligibility review to submission
Local teams in England and Scotland, backed by global expertise in 20+ countries
Low HMRC enquiry rates thanks to our rigorous documentation and compliance

Whether you’re automating fruit picking, deploying satellite crop monitoring, or building climate-resilient systems, we understand the innovation challenges you face — and how to turn them into funding opportunities.

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Why Choose FI Group for Agri-Tech Funding?