Agricultural innovators and entrepreneurs are being invited to enter their new agri-related products and services in the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena Awards 2021.

The awards are run in partnership with the National Ploughing Association (NPA) and will continue online for a second year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 12 award categories include best agri-technology start-up, best agri-engineering established company, young innovator of the year, farm safety and sustainable agriculture.

Opening the competition, An Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar said: “New technology and innovation is shaping modern farming for the next generation making it more productive, safer and more sustainable.”

Industry sectors

Innovators from the following industry sectors are encouraged to enter: dairy and drystock farming, horticulture, information and communication technology, cloud- and mobile-based software, animal health and genetics, water and waste management, environment and cleantech, animal and farm management, farm safety and leading research.

The best start-up and overall winner of the Innovation Arena Awards will be eligible to win up to €5,000 each.

2020 winners

Last year’s competition attracted more than 60 entries with the overall award going to Malone Farm Machinery in Co Mayo.

The company’s winning entry was a 16-bale trailer called The Malone Express. The best overall start-up award went to Iamus Technologies, an AI and robotics company based in NovaUCD Dublin.

Its winning entry was Gallus, an autonomous robot for gathering data from chickens designed for the poultry industry.

To enter this year’s Innovation Arena Awards please click here.

Closing date for entries is Wednesday 30 June 2021.