Farming Innovation Programme

The diversification has won backing under the (FIP) Farming Innovation Programme, a part of the government’s Agricultural Transition Plan that funds R&D as UK agriculture moves away from traditional direct support.

This FIP element has proved crucial, Richard says, not necessarily for the £45,000 of funding (“once it has been distributed amongst various parties there isn’t a lot left”), but for the crucial contacts it has helped to provide with researchers, experts from Innovate UK (the government’s ‘national innovation agency’), and from academia.

That has allowed Richard to test the waters for other growers in a particularly forward-looking way. “The key to the FIP is that it encourages a farmer or grower to find the brainpower to help their business,” Richard says. “You get a fantastic list of innovation managers to choose from, all with a variety of very specific experiences and skills”

“You’re also encouraged to find expertise from a university or other body to help with the project. If you can ensure that the project is ultimately publishable, then you can put together an attractive proposition to some very intelligent people to be part of your team. Also, farmers and growers can come up with the ideas, but we often need help with marketing – anyone with a bit of luck and decent weather can grow it, but can you sell it? Again, the programme is designed to encourage you to find the individuals to help with markets and making the much-needed sales.”

The project