British Berry Growers is one of several industry partners contributing to a £7.1 million programme designed to accelerate robotics adoption throughout the UK agri-food sector.
The initiative aims to help growers turn advances in automation into practical solutions that can operate effectively and generate commercial value.
The organisation will collaborate with the University of Lincoln’s new HARVEST robotics adoption hub. The hub has received £4.8 million through Innovate UK’s Robotics Adoption programme, which forms part of the UKRI IS8 Advanced Manufacturing Programme.
HARVEST is one of eight projects chosen from 74 applications submitted across the country. Located at the university’s Riseholme Park campus, the hub will provide companies with access to robotics research, testing infrastructure and specialist industry knowledge. These resources are intended to support faster development and deployment of automation in agriculture and food manufacturing.
Within the berry sector, the collaboration will enable businesses to assess how robotics can respond to operational demands while assisting the workers responsible for crop production and harvesting.
Turning robotics research into farm-ready solutions
Automation could help growers respond to several pressures, including the need to raise productivity and improve the resilience of UK food production. Nevertheless, moving from technical capability to dependable on-farm performance requires trials in commercial environments, as well as a clear understanding of the financial, operational and technical obstacles involved.
Nick Marston, chair of British Berry Growers, said: “We are delighted to be part of the University of Lincoln’s new HARVEST robotics adoption hub and welcome this investment in the future of British food production.
“Working directly with growers is essential to developing technology that can deliver practical benefits on farms. This partnership will provide valuable opportunities to test and refine robotics in real growing conditions, helping overcome the technical and commercial challenges that can stand in the way of adoption.”
The focus on live operating environments highlights a broader issue for agricultural automation. Technologies must function within the time, labour, space and process limitations of commercial farms, rather than only proving their capabilities in controlled trials.
For growers, robotics will deliver value only when systems work consistently, fit into established production methods and provide returns that support the required investment.
Facilities designed to overcome adoption challenges
HARVEST will connect robotics companies, agri-food manufacturers, growers and research organisations to develop, assess and showcase technologies across the wider supply chain.
The hub will include a purpose-built robot testing track at Riseholme, supported by £500,000 in funding. It will also establish industry-led Living Labs, allowing developers and businesses to trial and demonstrate equipment in realistic operating conditions.
An additional £1 million Acceleration Fund will support robotics companies working in the UK agri-food sector. Businesses will be able to seek help from HARVEST with targeted issues that could otherwise delay or prevent commercial adoption.
Partners include robotics specialists Saga Robotics, Dogtooth Technologies, Dynium and JABAS AI, as well as Cranswick, B-Hive Innovations, Dyson Farming Research and British Berry Growers. Barclays Eagle Labs, Agri-TechE and Bishop Burton College will bring knowledge of commercialisation, sector development and workforce training.
This partnership model recognises that successful automation depends on more than engineering progress. Commercial returns, food and drink regulations, workforce requirements and supply-chain integration can all determine whether a system advances beyond pilot projects and becomes part of routine operations.
Building workforce capability and lasting resilience
British Berry Growers has emphasised that robotics should strengthen the contribution of agricultural workers rather than be viewed as an immediate substitute for the workforce.
Marston said: “Our people remain essential to British berry production. Developing reliable, commercially viable robotics takes time, and this investment is an important step towards technology that can support our workforce and help growers build more productive, resilient businesses over the longer term.”
The next priority for berry producers will be identifying which systems can deliver measurable improvements in genuine commercial conditions. Shared test sites and close cooperation between growers and technology developers could reduce uncertainty around reliability, integration and return on investment.
The funding does not determine when particular robotic systems will reach British berry farms. Its importance is in establishing a structured way to assess new technologies, resolve barriers to adoption and generate the evidence businesses need before making commercial decisions.
As food and beverage industry trends continue to reflect pressure on output, labour availability and supply-chain resilience, the programme’s success will be judged partly by its ability to move food processing technology and agricultural robotics from research settings into practical applications. Its findings may also influence wider food manufacturing trends, food distribution trends, food and drink sustainability strategies, food and drink packaging operations, food and drink marketing priorities and responses to evolving food and drink consumer trends.
