West Lindsey District Council is advancing its Agricultural Growth Zone initiative to strengthen the region’s role in the UK’s agri-tech industry.
Centred on the A15 Growth Corridor and part of the national UK Food Valley programme, the Agri-Zone links the University of Lincoln’s Riseholme Campus with existing food enterprise zones and business infrastructure. The aim is to create a hub where innovation, investment, and workforce development can drive sustainable agricultural growth.
Local councillors and guests recently visited the Lincoln Institute of Agricultural Technology (LIAT) at Riseholme to see how agri-tech businesses are using research and technology to improve farming efficiency. The tour included the Barclays Eagle Lab, home to SmartFert Ltd, a company producing renewable fertilisers made from agricultural residues.
According to projections, the Agri-Zone is expected to add £165 million in gross value to the West Lindsey economy by 2035, creating more than 700 jobs. Around £94.5 million of that growth is projected to come from the food supply chain and £31 million from agricultural technology.
The council sees agri-tech as part of a broader regional strategy that also includes defence, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. A recent networking event at Riseholme explored links between agriculture and defence innovation, highlighting opportunities for collaboration across emerging sectors.
With its Agri-Zone initiative, West Lindsey aims to position itself as a national leader in agricultural innovation, uniting local government, academia, and industry to support modern farming and future economic growth.
Image credit: West Lindsey District Council
