With world population predicted to reach almost 10 billion by 2050, there is a pressing need to boost productivity of the agri-food sector while maintaining high sustainability standards and low environmental impact. This is one of the greatest challenges for the industry, especially when labour costs are rising. Automation and robotics are seen as one of the potential solutions for these challenges, and activities are underway that develop new platforms that could save time and costs, and reduce labour requirements.

KTN is organizing two events that will feature a range of speakers from the agri-food industry presenting examples of ongoing projects and successful approaches. These events will address the needs of the arable, horticultural and livestock industries, as well as the food processing and manufacturing sector. These event will bring together experts to discuss industry needs, technological gaps, key enabling technologies such as robotics and autonomous systems, imaging technologies, sensors, and the Internet of Things.

• 8th June Belfast, Hilton Belfast Templepatrick Golf & Country Club, Paradise Walk, Castle Upton Estate, Templepatrick BT39 0DD

 This event will have more focus on the livestock and food processing manufacturing sub-sector needs, such as the application of robotics to automate operations in livestock abattoirs. It is supported by InvestNI. 

• 4th July, Peterborough, Kingsgate Conference Centre, 2 Staplee Way Peterborough PE1 4YT

This event will have more focus on the needs of arable and horticultural sub-sector needs for automation and robotics to accelerate breeding, seed treatment, picking, harvesting, sorting, packing, and labelling.

Please note, to ensure an appropriate mix of delegates from different sectors, and across industry and academia, we are operating a 'registration of interest system'.  If you would like to attend this event, please complete the registration form and we will confirm allocation of places in due course (latest 3 weeks before the event). Please do not book travel before we confirmed you place.

The organisers reserve the right to limit the number of registrations per organisation.

Terms and Conditions

All best endeavours will be made to undertake the event as shown above. However, the event organisers reserve the right to alter or cancel, without prior notice, any of the arrangements, timetable or plans relating directly or indirectly to the event. The event organisers are not liable for any loss or inconvenience caused as a result of such alterations.