UK Agri-Tech Centre Slashes Workforce by 60%: 80 Jobs at Risk in Major Restructuring

The UK Agri-Tech Centre has announced a drastic restructuring plan that puts up to 80 jobs at risk, representing a workforce reduction of nearly 60%. This significant cut comes just two years after the merger of three government-backed agri-tech organizations into a single national entity.

The Scale of the Cuts

Under the new strategy set for implementation by 2027, the centre aims to reduce its staff from approximately 130 employees to around 50. Currently, staff are being consulted on options for redeployment, alternative proposals, and methods to avoid or minimize redundancies. However, the sheer scale of these proposed cuts has alarmed many farmers and industry stakeholders who rely on the organization.

Industry Reaction: "Disastrous" Moves

Critics within the agricultural community have expressed deep concern. One anonymous farmer described the move as “disastrous,” warning that the UK risks losing its capacity to develop and test agricultural technology.

“It’s an absolute tragedy,” the farmer stated. “We are just destroying the UK’s ability to do agri-tech innovation. The centre is a growth engine. How many other things does the government have that help growth like this?”

Tom Allen-Stevens, managing director of the British On-Farm Innovation Network (Bofin), also weighed in. While acknowledging the need for prioritization, he warned against “throwing the baby out with the bath water” by eliminating key project management roles. He urged the centre to tread carefully to protect vital expertise.

Government Stance: Funding Unchanged

Despite the internal turmoil, the UK Agri-Tech Centre emphasizes that this restructuring does not signal a withdrawal of government support. A government spokesman confirmed that national investment in agri-tech remains on track to reach at least £290m by 2030 through the Farming Innovation Programme and UK Research and Innovation support.

Chief Executive Steve McLean explained that the new strategy, developed with Innovate UK, will focus on accelerating the adoption of agri-tech. The goal is to connect farmers, growers, and food businesses with the right technologies, expertise, evidence, facilities, funding, and opportunities. The financial value of the new three-year funding agreement was not disclosed.

Protecting Key Programs: The Adopt Initiative

A major point of contention is the future of the Adopt programme (Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies). Delivered alongside Adas and the Soil Association, this Defra-backed initiative supports farmer-led trials on irrigation, water storage, and soil health.

Mr. Allen-Stevens stressed the importance of protecting this program:

“It is so important to make sure the restructuring does not harm funding for Adopt projects... There is so much potential for farmers to do more through this.”

The centre has stated that existing projects will continue during the consultation period and that the Adopt programme will continue as it does today, viewing it as a key part of the UK agritech’s future direction.

Context: Recent Merger

This restructuring follows the April 2024 merger of Agri-EPI, the Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock, and Crop Health and Protection. The consolidation was intended to combine facilities, expertise, and networks to drive technology adoption, with ambitions to become an “Agri-Tech Catapult.” The centre’s current portfolio includes innovative projects such as Hands Free Farm, Lamb Monitor, FLEXBOT, and research into agricultural robotics, strawberry pollination, and slug management.

The consultation process is ongoing, with Innovate UK funding continuing through existing agreements until March 2027 to ensure an orderly transition.