What can we expect from agritech in 2021?

In fact, the lockdown and removal of other distractions provided an opportunity for entrepreneurs to focus on their ideas and in some cases, take them to market. Farm491 predicts the following themes to shine through the agritech space this year:

1) Vertical farms in offices: A proven source of employee enrichment, corporations are exploring installing vertical farming units in offices. As fewer employees are likely to return to working in an office full time, ‘hot desking’ is expected to become the norm instead of dedicated desks, freeing up inside space.

2) Soil focus: We expect to see an increase in tools designed for farmers that quantify the amount of carbon that is being captured on farms through soil, grassland and hedgerows. These tools will be invaluable to those farmers partaking in the new ELMs scheme.

3) Automated monitoring: With agriculture continuing to have the worst rate of worker fatal injury, there is a continued need for systems that can reduce the need for lone working, or monitor those who are. We expect to see an increase in animal monitoring through AI software as well as farm worker tracking apps and technology.

Tara Dickinson-Barry, Farm491