Invest in Dorset: Agri-tech and Aquaculture

Dorset is known for its beautiful landscapes, which have been shaped by the long-lasting, productive, and proud tradition of farming. Dorset is the perfect setting for Agri-tech and Aquaculture, providing a global centre of excellence for overseas businesses.

77% of the total land in Dorset is farmed, with a fully integrated agricultural food supply chain, a fair and transparent regulatory environment, internationally competitive tax regime and government financial support. Dorset is the idyllic location to invest in the Agri-Tech Ecosystem and is currently worth over £108m.

Excellent water quality of Dorset’s inshore waters has enabled a diversity of aquaculture to develop. There is significant potential for this sector to expand at sea and on land. Agribulks, Portland Port is home to 3 large animal feed sheds, which import products to South America, North America, North Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Handling around 180,000 tonnes of animal feeds and grains.

A highly skilled workforce ensures the sector continues to thrive, contributing of over 700 professionals. As well as four National Agri-tech Centres of Excellence known as; CHAP, Crop Health and Protection; CIEL, Centre of Innovation and Excellence in Livestock; Agri-Epi, Engineering, Precision, Innovation; Agri metrics, The Agri-food Data Market Place.

A handful of organisations currently working within Dorset include:

• Jurassic Sea Farms; exploiting the culture of seaweeds, recently in connection with its ‘super food’ reputation, potential use in cosmetics, health food, pharmaceutical, biofuels and fertiliser industries. JSF will grow both seaweed and shellfish species at Portland Port.
• One Health; a framework to design and implement product solutions, programmes, policies, legislation, and research. Widely recognised by national and international agencies.
• MOWI; The industry recently turning to use biological methods of control in the form of ‘cleanerfish’ which co-habit with the Salmon and feed on the lice. Dorset Cleaner fish is 100% owned by MOWI.
• Cefas; extensive experience of the regulation of all aquaculture systems, deploying innovative and cutting-edge technology.
• South West Aquaculture Network; aiming to sustainably enhance aquaculture production in line with the evolving national aquaculture strategy and international development goals.
• Noola Redclaw; an aqua-tech company developing the technology for the intensive farming of the red claw crayfish.
• Houghton Springs Fish Farm; situated in North Dorset, established as a mixed farm for restocking of both rainbows and brownies. It is at present geared to facilitate genetic selection of the Houghton, enhanced growth.
• South West AgriTech; promotes and demonstrates the South West’s position as the UK’s growing powerhouse in Agritech, compromising of six local Enterprise Partnerships.
• Livestock Improvement; a New Zealand farmer-owned cooperative providing a range of solutions to improve the productivity and prosperity of farmers
• Synergy; the largest independently owned and managed, Farm Animal Veterinary Practice in the UK.
• Watercress; an important part of British culinary history, harnessing the nutrition in spring water released from underground aquifers to produce a product that’s recognised all around the world.

Dorset is not shy of providing new talent to the field, home to Kingston Maurward College which specialises in agricultural and horticultural practice. Serving a broad area across Dorset and beyond, has a major strategic role in the development of Dorset’s rural economy. Spanning a full range of long-based studies and beyond, from entry-level to a degree.

Arts University Bournemouth brings together business, academic and research to enhance the innovation ecosystem of Dorset. Start up company Earthly Biochar, created an innovative burner for producing biochar, supported by the technical team and workshop facilities at the university.

Invest in Dorset is a team of economic development professionals across Dorset dedicated to helping companies and investors identify investment or expansion opportunities in Dorset, ensuring they get all the support they need to be successful here.

To find out more about this sector and the companies involved. Download our investment guide to Dorset’s Agri-tech and Aquaculture sector.