The UK government will invest £ 90 m ( $ # ##m ) to improve technology in agriculture , according to Business Secretary Greg Clark , speaking at the National Farmers ' Union Conference . The investment forms part of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund , which aims to bring the sector up to date by introducing artificial intelligence and robotics . The UK’s agri-tech sector currently contributes around £14.3 billion towards the economy and employs over 500,000 people, with companies and researchers pioneering technology from drones to 3D printing. Notable discussions from the conference covered the use of the CROPROTECT app , which helps farmers protect their crops from pests , weeds and disease , and Ordnance Survey 's satellite imagery and digital data collection of more than 200,000 miles of farmlands . The hi - tech sector contributes £ 14.3bn to the country 's economy .
The UK government will invest £ 90 m ( $ # ##m ) to improve technology in agriculture , according to Business Secretary Greg Clark , speaking at the National Farmers ' Union Conference . The investment forms part of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund , which aims to bring the sector up to date by introducing artificial intelligence and robotics . Notable discussions from the conference covered the use of the CROPROTECT app , which helps farmers protect their crops from pests , weeds and disease , and Ordnance Survey 's satellite imagery and digital data collection of more than 200,000 miles of farmlands . The hi - tech sector contributes £ 14.3bn to the country 's economy .