Interim Impact Evaluation of the Agri-Tech Catalyst: Extended Executive Summary

This document describes an interim evaluation of the UK's Agri-Tech Catalyst program, initiated in 2013 to foster innovation in agricultural technology and promote collaboration between businesses, academia, and industry. The program's objectives were to enhance agricultural productivity and reduce environmental impact. The evaluation, carried out by SQW and other research partners, employed a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, case studies, and desk reviews. Findings indicate that the program successfully spurred innovation and collaboration, funding 103 projects from 396 applications. However, commercialization and broader sector impacts were limited, leading to suggestions for better dissemination and monitoring. The evaluation underscores the Catalyst's role in achieving project-based outcomes and the necessity for continued R&D investment. Future evaluations will monitor long-term outcomes and consider additional methodological options. The document also emphasizes the program's contribution to the UK's international competitiveness in agri-tech and the importance of post-Catalyst support for market entry. The full evaluation report is accessible on the www.gov.uk website, and requests for alternative formats can be made via email. **This summary was written by an AI model and therefore should not be considered a definitive summary of the report. If you are aware of inaccuracies, please email evaluation.registry@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.**

Description

• Lead department: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
• Evaluation stage: A complete evaluation report
• Other departments: No other departments listed
• Evaluation types: Impact evaluation
• Impact methods: Theory-based methods
• Theory-based methods: Contribution analysis
• Grant information: This intervention is not distributing funding via a grant
• Government Major Project information: This intervention is not a major project
• Policies: No policies provided

Event Dates

• Event Name: Publication of final results
• Event date: July 2020

Evaluation Costs

• Cost: Not provided

Evaluation sharing

• Link(s) to published report(s): Yes
• Links to evaluation plans: No link provided
• Findings: Not provided
• Permission to share confirmed: Yes