Dutch Agri-Tech Mission to the UK showcases innovation opportunities in Kent

On Friday 20^th September, Growing Kent & Medway and Locate in Kent welcomed a delegation of businesses and academics from a UK Agri-Tech Mission organised by the British Embassy in The Hague and the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade.

Kent was the final stop of the three-day Agri Tech Mission, with delegates touring key Agri-tech regions of excellence across the UK. Industry leaders, academics and entrepreneurs from across the UK and the Netherlands met to discuss opportunities for future trade collaboration and innovation.

The UK’s thriving Agri-tech sector covers a broad range of categories from consumer-based apps and services, food processing and sustainable packaging to farming systems and research into the next generation of food and beverages.

This important trade mission set out to show the sizeable opportunity for Dutch companies in the Agri-tech sphere to grow their business by investing or increasing their investment in the UK, as well as highlighting the very latest UK technological innovations seeking to address challenges including climate change.

In Kent, that included a tour of NIAB’s GreenTech Hub for Advanced Horticulture, a world-class centre of excellence for applied research and innovation in commercial horticulture. This introduced delegates to research projects using AI and machine learning for the early detection and prevention of pests and diseases in orchards and vineyard.  Another project on show is using new technologies to increase yields in strawberry production.

At Discovery Park in Sandwich, delegates toured the labs of two Agri-Tech businesses located at the science park campus. These included Harmoniz Seeds, which recently opened a new demonstration greenhouse in the. Netherlands and research and experimental development biotechnology business, Ventera Bio.

Dr. Nikki Harrison, Director for Growing Kent and Medway, said: “Kent is home to a vibrant and rapidly growing Agri-tech sector, with innovative businesses, from start-ups to established global players leading the way in making our food systems more productive and sustainable.

“For Growing Kent & Medway, supporting this Agri-Tech Mission enables us to not only showcase the exciting new technology and research advances in our region but further strengthens our relationships with businesses and funders in the Netherlands, creating new opportunities for investment in Kent and Medway.”  

Delegates hear about the latest agri-tech developments at NIAB, East Malling. 

Nick Fenton, CEO Locate in Kent, said: “This was an opportunity to showcase Kent and Medway as a key region for food and drink innovation for the UK and to build new connections for future collaboration and investment.

“We were able to share how Kent and Medway is making a significant contribution to a British success story, supporting a food and drink sector that adds £104.4 billion to the UK economy.  That story is built on strong heritage and partnership – and there’s much more to come.”

Chiara Poulteney, Senior Investment Advisor, British Embassy, The Hague, said: “The Department for Business and Trade is thrilled to have spearheaded this Agri-Tech mission from the Netherlands to Kent, a region with deep historical and economic ties to the Dutch.  As key innovators in sustainable agriculture and horticulture, both the Netherlands and the ‘Garden of England’ have long recognised the importance of collaboration in shaping the future of food production.

“The Netherlands is a leader in sustainable agricultural technologies, such as precision farming, water management, and greenhouse efficiency, and Kent has embraced these technologies through partnerships, research collaborations, and pilot programs. By fostering stronger partnerships, we can drive innovation, improve efficiency, and build resilient agricultural systems that benefit both our regions and beyond."