This year’s Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena, in partnership with the Irish Farmers Journal at the National Ploughing Championships, is bigger and better than ever.

It is the first double-decker stand at the Ploughing and is host to 50 of Ireland's leading innovators.

Tom Kelly, head of innovation at Enterprise Ireland, explains what the agency is looking for when supporting an innovative agritech company. “We are looking for companies that want to scale,” according to Kelly.

James Maloney, senior regional development executive, says that more than 100 companies entered the Innovation Arena this year, with the interest growing every year.

He says that rural Ireland is producing some top companies and he highlighted this year's award-winner, Agrispread from Co Mayo, as an example of a how a manufacturing company can lead in innovation.

Ground-breaking developments

He added that the Innovation Arena is a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs and startups operating in agri and agri-tech to showcase ground-breaking agri-related developments.

Over 100 international buyers have also arrived at this year’s Innovation Arena, as they seek agri-tech innovation to bring back to their countries, according to Maloney.

Listen here for more

Listen to "Day 1 at the Ploughing - Innovation Arena" on Spreaker.