- ADOPT (Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies) is part of Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme, which since 2021 has run 21 competitions across a total of 270 projects, committing £139m of Defra funding and attracting £51m of private investment.
ADOPT is a new farmer-focused initiative, funded by Defra and delivered by Innovate UK, set to launch in April 2025.
Through a dedicated consortium running the Support Hub, the ADOPT fund provides farmer-led, smaller-scale innovation grants, for farmers, growers and farm businesses to trial new technology and methods on their farm.
ADOPT will empower farmers to trial, test, and adopt cutting-edge ideas, tools, and techniques that boost productivity, sustainability, and resilience.
ADAS, in partnership with the UK Agri-Tech Centre and the Soil Association, has been awarded the role of managing the ADOPT Support Hub—a centralised support system designed to help farmers, growers and foresters across England access ADOPT.
The Support Hub will provide expert assistance to help farmers navigate the process, connect with facilitators and share knowledge that benefits the wider sector.
ADOPT is designed to put practical on-farm experimentation and innovation directly in the hands of farmers.
ADOPT embraces a broad spectrum of innovations, including sustainable farming practices and practical solutions to immediate on-farm problems.
This is designed to complement the larger technological advances being driven under other innovation initiatives.
The fund prioritises accessibility and real-world impact, ensuring that farmers of all types, from small family operations to larger enterprises, can easily engage, test and scale solutions that work for them.
The initiative aims to empower farmers, cutting through complexity and making innovation work at the field level—driving profitable, resilient and sustainable agriculture across England.
Related news:
Showcase of farming innovation at Great Yorkshire Showground
