Munster Technological University (MTU) has secured €460,000 in innovation funding as it has joined AgrifoodTEF, a European network of test and experimentation facilities for AI and robotics in the agri-food sector.
As a result, Irish agri-tech and food SMEs will gain access to advanced European testing and validation services and it will help accelerate the market adoption of AI and robotics solutions for the agri-food sector.
Ireland’s participation in the network will be delivered through the IMaR Research Centre and AgriTech Ireland Cluster at MTU's Kerry campus.
MTU will receive the funding through the EU Digital Europe Programme and co-funding from Research Ireland through Lero, Research Ireland’s centre for software.
Companies will be able to avail of structured validation services from MTU, usually for eight to 12 weeks, which will cover technical performance, systems integration, deployment readiness and business model validation.
They will also receive evidence-based findings designed to strengthen investor and customer confidence ahead of wider roll-out.
Opportunity
“Joining AgrifoodTEF provides a significant opportunity for AgriTech Ireland Cluster members to connect with a European network of expertise, facilities and innovation partners,” cluster manager at AgriTech Ireland Kieran O'Donoghue commented.
"This strengthens our ability to support members throughout their innovation journey while raising the profile of Irish agri tech within the wider European innovation ecosystem."
“This partnership strengthens Ireland's contribution to the European agri-tech innovation ecosystem, while creating new opportunities for companies to test, validate and commercialise technologies that can support a more productive and sustainable agricultural sector,” vice-dean of research and innovation and director of IMaR at MTU Professor Joseph Walsh said.
SHARING OPTIONS