CHAP (Crop Health and Protection) is an independent catalyst for change in agri-tech. One of four UK Agri-Tech Centres funded by Innovate UK, we bring together researchers, industry, and government to accelerate the identification, development, and adoption of innovative crop solutions. Through collaboration we are helping the UK regain its place at the centre of the global agri‑tech sector.
Our Vision
CHAP’s vision is for the UK to be a global leader in the development of applied agri-technologies to help secure our future by nourishing a growing population sustainably while delivering economic, environmental and health benefits to society.
Our Mission
“We have the opportunity to work with a dynamic and multidisciplinary group of CHAP partners from industry and research organisations. CHAP has created links between these organisations that didn’t exist before, providing CHAP clients with innovative research capability and expertise.”
Dr Jane Rickson, Cranfield University We are working to increase crop productivity for future generations through the uptake of new technologies in agriculture. We are building networks of world-class scientists, farmers, advisors, innovators and industry to prioritise needs, develop innovative agri-tech solutions and translate them into the field to ensure market adoption. Together, we will make the UK a global force in applied agri-technologies for crops.
We have the opportunity to work with a dynamic and multidisciplinary group of CHAP partners from industry and research organisations. CHAP has created links between these organisations that didn’t exist before, providing CHAP clients with innovative research capability and expertise.
Dr Jane Rickson, Cranfield University
We are accelerating the translation from basic research to adoption by the sector. With our national network of 12 world-class delivery partners, we have 15 open access, state-of-the-art facilities across the UK, run by world-class experts, for research and development activities in crop agri‑tech.
Our commercial demonstration facilities field test the potential, and showcase the benefits, of new technologies to accelerate their adoption. These facilities are currently running more than 30 R&D and commercial projects, in partnership with players across industry, to identify solutions to major crop health and productivity challenges.
By transforming farming systems sustainably, we aim to help farmers increase yields with fewer inputs, enabling them to feed a growing population while safeguarding the environment.
CHAP has shown vision, pragmatism and a get it done mentality, with a co-ordinated approach that has been sorely missing, in my opinion, from the process of innovation funding for many years. I have had significant exposure to Fraunhofer Institutes … CHAP has the same mentality.
Dr Phillip Lee, RIPE
Areas of focus
- Soil and crop health systems
- Independently examine and evaluate farming systems/approaches.
- Examine, research, and improve adoption of carbon sequestration in soils.
- Develop improved tillage systems for greater environmental and cost benefits.
- Innovative crop health strategies
- Discover, develop, and deliver biopesticide/biostimulant products.
- Improve adoption and development of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
- Develop and deliver plant protection products (PPPs).
- Intelligent agronomy
- Detection, modelling and prediction of pests/diseases.
- Develop decision support systems, to reduce inputs.
- Drive precision farming practices to improve the environment.
- Crop and protein diversification
- Develop novel protein crops for food and feed.
- Explore and develop sources of high value plant proteins and molecules.
- Demonstrate the value of new industries and production systems e.g. algae.
- Controlled environment agriculture
- Evaluate, improve, and demonstrate CEA.
- Explore and enable crop diversification for CEA technologies for profitability.
- Develop circular economy approaches for CEA incl. carbon capture and use.
CHAP’s USP
Innovation toolbox: Our unique facilities, delivered through a national network of world-class delivery partners, drive research and innovation, delivering commercial scale trials to transform crop systems.
Access to funders: CHAP provides professional bid development services to secure funding. Our professional project management process ensures successful outcomes for funded projects.
Practical solutions for 21st century farmers: We are advancing our shared goal of sustainable agricultural productivity by engaging with producers, farmers, agronomists, retailers, and the sector’s service companies.
Work with us to make the UK a global force in applied agri-tech for crops
CHAP has been a great resource for us to meet others in the industry and develop our network as well learn about ways our technology could help. Through CHAP we have met potential project partners and we plan to partner with CHAP on a number of grant applications.
Dr William Pelton, Phytoform
CHAP can help you to take an initial concept and turn it into a fully costed and trialled, proven, practical solution that is ready for uptake by the sector. Contact us at enquiries@chap-solutions.co.uk
Visit the CHAP website to see how you could benefit from our Membership scheme, or to take a look at our Facilities and read about some of our key Projects.
