A state-of-the-art facility, based at Hartpury University and Hartpury College, which showcases the production, welfare and financial improvements that smart farming technology can bring to farmers and producers, was opened recently.

National Farmers’ Union (NFU) President Minette Batters performed the official opening of the new £2 million Hartpury Agri-Tech Centre.

The ceremony was attended by 100 guests from the agriculture industry, including Clive and Sylvia Richards, whose charity donated £150,000 towards the project, and David Owen, chief executive of the GFirst Local Enterprise Partnership, which provided £1 million in match funding.

The Hartpury Agri-Tech Centre is a unique complex of purpose-built facilities enabling farmers, Hartpury students and organisations involved in agriculture to enjoy easy and comprehensive access to the latest commercial technology.

Minette Batters said: “I think the Hartpury Agri-Tech Centre is absolutely brilliant and what’s been done here is phenomenal.

“This is all about empowering Gloucestershire farmers, both young and old, with access to new skills and technology. It is really important that as an industry we continue to upskill and push ourselves forward.”

The Hartpury Agri-Tech Centre is part of an ambitious 10-year vision to create a Digital Innovation Farm.