Farm Innovation Network and UK Agri-Tech Centre partner to bridge global innovation and NZ pasture farming
NZ farmers offered early access to global tech through new UK-NZ agritech programme
Farm Innovation Network (FIN) is bringing global agritech innovation to New Zealand farms through a new international programme designed to fast-track technology validation in real farming systems.
The UK Agri-Tech Centre’s Global Growth Accelerator will introduce a select group of UK dairy and livestock innovators to New Zealand, where their technologies will be piloted directly on local farms through FIN’s nationwide network of progressive farmers.
Delivered by the UK Agri-Tech Centre, and in collaboration with Agnition Ventures and AgriTech New Zealand, the programme creates a new international pathway for promising agritech solutions to be validated in one of the world’s most advanced pasture-based farming environments.
For New Zealand farmers, the opportunity is significant.
The programme provides early access to emerging technologies not yet available locally, with supported pilot trials allowing farmers to test innovations with minimal risk while helping shape products through real-world feedback.
It also leverages the counter-seasonality between the UK and New Zealand, enabling innovators to continue testing technologies year-round and accelerating development cycles that would otherwise stall during the northern hemisphere off-season.
Jasper van Halder, CEO of Agnition Ventures and Chief Innovation Officer at Ravensdown, said the programme highlights the important role New Zealand farmers play in shaping the next generation of agricultural technology.
“New Zealand farmers are recognised globally for being practical, innovative and open to testing new ideas,” Mr van Halder said.
“Through Farm Innovation Network, we can connect those farmers directly with promising technologies coming out of the UK and give innovators the opportunity to test their solutions in real farming conditions.”
“For farmers here, it’s a chance to see what’s coming next in global agritech while helping shape solutions that could improve productivity, sustainability and resilience across the sector.”
The programme will initially bring three UK innovators to New Zealand, with pilot trials expected to get started on interested farms in July this year.
Once the innovators are selected, FIN will work with farmers to identify suitable pilot sites and support the delivery of on-farm trials across its network.
Industry showcase events are also expected once the technologies are deployed, giving farmers and sector stakeholders the opportunity to see the innovations in action.
The programme focuses on innovations that support dairy and livestock (beef and sheep) farming systems, particularly technologies designed to help farmers tackle some of agriculture’s key challenges, from improving animal health and farm productivity through to meeting environmental and climate expectations.
Both the UK and New Zealand share similar pasture-based livestock systems, making New Zealand an ideal proving ground for technologies developed in the UK.
Brendan O’Connell, Chief Executive of AgriTech New Zealand, said the initiative reflects the growing importance of trusted international partnerships within the global agritech ecosystem.
“New Zealand’s agritech sector is strongest when it is connected to other leading innovation ecosystems around the world,” Mr O’Connell said.
“Our Memorandum of Understanding with the UK Agri-Tech Centre is about strengthening those links between our communities of innovators, researchers, investors and industry. It’s encouraging to see that relationship continuing to grow through this partnership between the UK Agri-Tech Centre and Agnition Ventures.”
“By connecting our ecosystems and building trusted partnerships, we create more opportunities for collaboration, shared learning and the development of technologies that support our farmers to remain productive and resilient ”
For the UK innovators, New Zealand offers a unique opportunity to validate their technologies in a highly advanced pasture-based farming environment while gaining valuable farmer insights.
Dr Jenna Ross OBE, Senior International Development Manager at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, said the Global Growth Accelerator is designed to help the UK’s most promising agritech companies scale internationally.
“The Global Growth Accelerator is about backing the UK’s most promising agritech businesses with real-world validation and strong international partnerships,” Dr Ross said.
“By embedding our innovators directly into high-value farming systems, we’re accelerating commercial progress while helping deliver the solutions agriculture needs to address global challenges.”
For FIN, the programme reinforces its role as a gateway connecting global agritech innovation with New Zealand farms.
By facilitating pilot trials and farmer engagement, the network helps ensure emerging technologies are tested in real farm conditions and developed with direct input from farmers.
Initiatives like the Global Growth Accelerator also highlight New Zealand’s growing reputation as a globally relevant innovation testbed, where farmers, innovators and industry work together to solve real challenges on the ground.
For more information about the Global Growth Accelerator programme, or to register your interest in participating as a pilot farm – please visit our website and submit your details. Global Growth Accelerator | UK Agri-Tech Centre.
About the Global Growth Accelerator
The Global Growth Accelerator is a UK Agri-Tech Centre international programme that helps UK agri-tech companies validate and scale their technologies in leading agricultural markets. In partnership with industry and farming networks, the initiative connects innovators with real-world farm trials, market insights and commercial opportunities.
About the UK Agri-Tech Centre
The UK Agri-Tech Centre supports the development and global adoption of agricultural technologies by connecting innovators with research, industry partners and international markets. The organisation works to accelerate solutions that improve productivity, sustainability and resilience across global farming systems.