Tax Relief for Agriculture
Funding for Agricultural Businesses
There is a string of challenges facing today’s agricultural sector. The fact is the world’s population is growing at a much faster rate than the supply chain for food production. Arable land needs significant restoration before it can sustain crops at scale. Environmental pressures such as climate change, which creates warmer temperatures and drier soils, are affecting farming practices. The National Farmers Union has not been shy when it comes to expressing its concern about rising costs, labour shortages, bird flu, adverse weather affecting output, and post-Brexit changes.Â
The impact of climate change on agriculture is drastic, reducing crop yields and lowering livestock productivity. However, the agricultural industry is not the innocent party, as farming practices contribute to climate change by way of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. The situation is that, despite greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture decreasing by 16% between 1990 and 2020, the sector still contributes 11% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. There is good news, though, as according to the Agri-climate report 2022, 58% of farmers were taking actions to reduce emissions. Innovation within agriculture and food production can help minimise this and contribute to net zero goals.Â
R&D in Agriculture
Innovation is frequent on farms—from adapting products to keep up with changes in climate to developing new techniques to extend the growing season. If a farmer has addressed a scientific or technological uncertainty whilst innovating and made an advance in the industry—even if the project was unsuccessful—they could be able to take advantage of HM Revenue & Customs’ (HMRC’s) research and development (R&D) tax credit incentives.Â
Here are some examples of R&D in agriculture:
Genetically modifying plants and seeds to adapt to changes in weather/climate
Developing new techniques to draw heat into the ground, so plants can grow earlier and produce for longer (extending the growing season)
Redesigning the growing spaces, for example, greenhouses
Developing new planting methods to protect young crops from pests
Maximising yield by using smart sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) technology
Developing new fertilisers with purely natural ingredients
Developing digestion methods to create nutrients for vertical farming operations
Developing new cleaning processes when milking cattle
Adapting existing machinery, for example, incorporating agri-tech through autonomous robotics
Engineering projects for managing and reusing waste in food production
How Can You Fund R&D in Agriculture?
There are various forms of innovation funding available to enable agricultural R&D to take place, including grant funding and tax relief. Grants, usually nonrepayable, are awarded by funding bodies prior to any innovation taking place, whilst tax relief is a retrospective incentive claimable after the accounting period in which the R&D took place.  
Your Innovation Funding Partner
Ryan can support you in cultivating a brighter future for our planet through your ground-breaking agricultural innovation. Our team of innovation funding specialists will ensure you’re rewarded for your sustainable practices, resilient crops, and advanced technologies that will shape the future of food production. Our aim is to empower farmers with the tools they need to overcome challenges, increase yields, and improve livelihoods.
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