AgriTech Innovation at Grampian Growers
Innovation Rooted in the Field. Science Driven by Growers.
At Grampian Growers, innovation is not separate from farming — it grows from it.
Our AgriTech programme transforms the crops our members already grow into higher-value, climate-smart and globally relevant solutions. Through on-farm trials, controlled environment agriculture, green extraction technologies and advanced biotechnology partnerships, we strengthen crop resilience, unlock new market pathways and reinforce the long-term sustainability of our co-operative.
We lead multiple Innovate UK–funded programmes positioning Grampian Growers at the forefront of applied agricultural biotechnology in Scotland.
Our AgriTech Focus
From Scottish fields to advanced laboratories, our AgriTech programme transforms traditional crops into high-value, climate-smart solutions – spanning across agronomy, biotechnology and commercial scale-up.
APPLIED CROP SCIENCE
We invest in applied agronomic research that responds directly to the challenges facing modern farming. From varietal performance and disease resilience to input efficiency and environmental impact, our work is grounded in real field conditions and shaped by grower experience.
Through structured trials, collaborative research and data-led evaluation, we test practical solutions that strengthen yield consistency, reduce risk and support long-term soil and crop health. This ensures innovation is not theoretical — it is field-tested, scalable and relevant to our members’ businesses.
Applied Crop Science is about improving what we already grow — smarter, more sustainably and with greater confidence.
ADVANCED CROP-DERIVED INGREDIENTS
We develop innovative, high-value functional ingredients derived from established crops for food, health and materials applications. Through controlled cultivation, green extraction technologies and strategic research partnerships, we transform agricultural outputs into sustainable components serving pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, personal care, livestock and bio-based sectors.
This pillar places Grampian Growers within advanced life science and bio-based supply chains — not as a manufacturer of finished products, but as a trusted agricultural source of sustainable, crop-derived ingredients.
CIRCULAR BIOECONOMY & SYSTEMS IMPACT
Scottish agriculture plays a critical role in the UK’s transition to a circular bioeconomy — where biological resources are used more efficiently, waste is minimised and value is retained within rural supply chains.
Through crop valorisation and resource-efficient processing, we reduce reliance on imported inputs, convert agricultural side streams into productive outputs and improve whole-system carbon performance. Our programmes contribute to national ambitions around net zero, sustainable manufacturing and resilient domestic supply chains.
This pillar is not only about creating new products — it’s about strengthening environmental performance, rural economic resilience and long-term agricultural sustainability.
ACTIVE PROJECTS
Grampian Growers continues to invest in applied AgriTech programmes spanning sustainable agriculture and advanced crop-derived ingredient. Working in partnership with industry, and academic leaders, these initiatives improve crop performance, validate sustainable production systems, and explore new high-value applications for established crops.
Phytocosmo Project
Unlocking Value from Potato Haulms
Through Phytocosmo, Grampian Growers are developing green extraction techniques to recover solanesol from potato haulms for use in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. The project supports circular economy innovation by creating new commercial value from existing crops and has received recognition at both national and international level.
GalanCEAmine
Sustainable Galanthamine Production
Grampian Growers are leading the development of a sustainable UK supply of galanthamine, a pharmaceutical ingredient used in Alzheimer’s treatment. The project combines controlled environment agriculture, green extraction chemistry and supply chain development to create a scalable, low-impact pharmaceutical supply chain rooted in Scottish agriculture.
Dancing with Daffodils
Climate-Smart Livestock Innovation
This project is developing a daffodil-derived feed additive designed to help reduce methane emissions in dairy cattle while maintaining feed efficiency. The work includes extraction development, feed trials and environmental modelling, supporting net-zero livestock farming while creating a new high-value market for daffodil crops.
Why AgriTech Matters to Our Members
Our AgriTech portfolio directly supports:
- Innovation in climate-smart agriculture
- Alternative income opportunities for growers
- Diversification beyond traditional commodity markets
- Strengthened strategic research partnerships
- Long-term commercial resilience
Collectively, these initiatives improve crop performance, validate sustainable production systems, and explore new high-value applications for established crops.
Our Approach
We pursue applied innovation grounded in real farming challenges.
Our projects strengthen crop health, improve environmental resilience and explore new commercial opportunities — shaped by grower needs.
- Grower-focused
- Environmentally responsible
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- Designed for scalable impact
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- Commercially grounded
- Built on strategic partnerships
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Looking Ahead
As these projects progress toward commercialisation, our focus remains clear:
01
Member Value
Income growth, Crop resilience, Shared capability.
02
Scalable Supply
Translating field and lab outcomes into scalable supply chains
03
Verified Sustainability
Independent validation of soil health, water use and carbon performance across member farms.
04
Market Diversification
Pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, fbioactive and bio-based ingredients — creating new demand for established crops.
AgriTech is not an add-on to our business. It is a strategic pillar of our future growth.
GRAMPIAN GROWERS BOARD · 2026