Norfolk has long been recognised as a hotbed of rural innovation, forging a global reputation that stretches back to the agricultural revolution. Fast forward to the 21st century and the pace of change shows no signs of slowing, with the county once again at the forefront of advances in technology.

In an era of unprecedented regulatory change, where food production is not necessarily the key driver and pressures on ‘conventional’ farming have been building, Norfolk farmers are embracing a vast array of modern techniques and data-driven tools to improve efficiency.

From developing precision spraying using drones and infra-red crop analysis, through to world leading agri-tech and crop sciences – the county is in good shape to meet the challenges ahead. 

Nowhere more so than along the A11 ‘Tech Corridor’ which is fast carving a strong track record for progressing the agri-tech and plant science sectors. And it’s the Norwich end of this corridor which is leading the way, with our latest research showing 6.1 per cent agri-tech employer growth over the last five years. This far outstrips the national average of 0.29 per cent.

One of the most pressing challenges will be how agriculture tackles its environmental responsibilities and in particular how it’s seen to address calls to reduce its carbon footprint. Moving forward, the balance between food production and the stewardship of the natural environment will come into increasingly sharp focus. Land managers will have to take a holistic approach beyond traditional crop production and instead look at what they deliver in terms of environmental, social and financial benefits to the wider community.

This represents a significant shift in mind-set and we expect to see specific markets created for these ecosystems services, such as agreements with private developers for the management of flood plains or collaborative habitat management.

The scarcity of water represents another challenge. While the North and Midlands has experienced unprecedented levels of rainfall and been devastated by recent floods, the East of England is one of the driest regions in the UK. Some farmers have already had abstraction licences revoked and investment in infrastructure will be vital – in particular winter fill reservoirs and updated irrigation networks. Fenland and peat soils that were previously drained to create some of the most productive farmland in the country may also have to be re-wetted, although this will reduce the number of cropping options available.

Of course, the human element of farming must not be ignored, but using technology to enhance efficiency will be a key element of improving production and running a viable business. Norfolk – with its strong heritage of adapting to change – is well placed to spearhead further advances.

Further information

Read more: Norfolk and Norwich: Adapting for change