Agri-Tech Cornwall

Helping the United Kingdom become a world leader in agricultural technology and sustainability
Robot arm picking cauliflowers

Agri-Tech Cornwall

The agricultural sector is the single largest employer in the world, providing livelihoods for 40 per cent of today’s global population. The United Nations has set a target to double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, and ensure food production systems are sustainable by implementing resilient agricultural practices by 2030.

The Agri-Tech Cornwall project is a step towards achieving these targets. The University of Plymouth are proud to be a partner on this £10 million part-funded ERDF initiative to help the United Kingdom become a world leader in agricultural technology and sustainability.

Are you a Cornish company working in Agri-tech? Do you want to expand into the Agri-tech sector?

Through the Agri-Tech Cornwall project you can access a range of business support and innovative new technologies from the University of Plymouth that can:

  • support the development of a new product
  • assist business growth with access to new research 
  • provide access to emerging technology
Contact us at agritech@plymouth.ac.uk to find out more.

Our heritage and our research

The University of Plymouth has a strong heritage and expertise in the agri-tech sector. Seale-Hayne Agricultural College merged with the University in 1989 when it was Plymouth Polytechnic. During this time, it significantly expanded its student numbers and agriculture related courses. Since the University of Plymouth centralised its campus in 2002, staff have been integrated across the University into areas including business, science, engineering, health and medicine.

Researchers from the University of Plymouth will share their expertise with and collaborate with small and medium-sized Cornish companies to research the future sustainability of the Agri-tech sector. 

Take a look at the projects that researchers are currently undertaking, and if you have any questions or want to find out more, please contact us.

Contact us

News and resources

Automated Brassica harvesting in Cornwall (ABC)

This project will develop robotic systems for automating manual picking operations in the horticultural sector in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The main crops for the project will be cauliflower, broccoli, kale and cabbage which are extensively grown in Cornwall. We want to demonstrate 'proof-of-concept' autonomous harvesting robots for horticultural crops that will help drive up productivity in the sector. The project will develop a two-handed robot test rig that will be built, and tested, under field conditions in Cornwall.

Find out more about ABC

For more information contact Dr Martin Stoelen or Yve Metcalfe-Tyrrell

Fab soil 

FABSOIL

The FABSOIL (Fabricated Soil) project will support the development of the manufacture and analysis of artificial soils. It will develop artificial soils made from recycled and waste materials that are fertile and remain stable. Such soils, made from waste-streams, could provide new and exciting commercial possibilities and an excellent sustainable resource – especially in the face of widespread soil loss and destruction in many parts of the world. This could provide a material for major landscaping and land restoration projects that can often demand large quantities of ‘top soil’, with the added advantage of a ‘clean sheet’ with regards to plant pests and pathogens.

Find out more about FABSOIL

For more information contact Professor Mark Fitzsimons or Yve Metcalfe-Tyrrell

Speciality crops

The project aims to help Cornish businesses research the added value for extracts of seaweeds, seawater and coastal plants towards skin care product development. We will work with local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to analyse the functional compositions of their current products and propose new formulations using the established skin simulation systems and testing platforms established at the University's Faculty of Health. The project will also work to identify new plants which have properties that Cornish SMEs can integrate into their products. We expect the project will accelerate business growth and develop new market and commercial opportunities.

Find out more about Speciality Crops

For more information contact Dr Bing Hu or Yve Metcalfe-Tyrrell

Whitsand Bay
The Plant Factory

Plant Factory Cornwall

The project aims to facilitate the development and expansion of hydroponic, multi-tier controlled growing environments utilising renewable energy to provide low carbon semi-automated crop production for urban and rural settings.
The project will apply existing and new technology to facilitate the development of a new model of horticultural propagation and growing, to develop new higher quality options for the horticultural sector tailored to the consumer market and with lower carbon supply options.
For more information contact Ms Yve Metcalfe-Tyrrell .

Fluorescence Imaging for Nutrition and Disease (FIND)

This project studies photosynthesis-related activity and fluorescence in a bid to develop an ‘early warning system’ for plant disease. Using smart imaging techniques, scientists at the University of Plymouth are hoping the FIND initiative will make it easier to spot yield-sapping fungal and bacterial pathogens earlier than has traditionally been the case. Having such a head-start compared with existing diagnostic techniques means growers could identify diseased plants, then potentially remove or treat them before more plants are infected. Such developments could raise crop yields and lower fungicide use, contributing to the drive for efficient, sustainable food production.

For more information contact Dr George Littlejohn or Yve Metcalfe-Tyrrell


FIND equipment 

University of Plymouth project members

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

The University of Plymouth is proud to be supported by the European Regional Development Fund. As one stream of funding under the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) Growth Programme 2014–2020, the ERDF focuses on smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
The main priorities involve contributions to research and innovation, supporting and promoting small and medium size enterprises (SMEs), and the creation of a low carbon economy.
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) logo