Irish AgriTech and food SMEs will gain access to advanced European testing and validation services after Munster Technological University (MTU) was named the tenth node in agrifoodTEF, a European network of Test and Experimentation Facilities for AI and robotics in the agrifood sector.
MTU will deliver Ireland’s participation in the network through the IMaR Research Centre and AgriTech Ireland Cluster at its Kerry campus. The University will receive €460,000 to support its involvement, funded through the EU Digital Europe Programme and co-funded by Research Ireland through Lero, Research Ireland’s centre for software. Through the new Irish node, SMEs will be able to test, validate, and accelerate the market adoption of AI and robotics solutions for the agrifood sector.
European AgriTech testing network
The network connects research centres, test facilities and industry partners across Europe, with a focus on helping companies developing digital and automation technologies for agriculture and food production to reduce risk and accelerate market adoption.
Through the partnership, MTU will provide structured validation services – typically eight to twelve weeks – covering technical performance, systems integration, deployment readiness and business model validation. Companies will receive evidence-based findings designed to strengthen investor and customer confidence ahead of wider rollout.
Kieran O’Donoghue, Cluster Manager at AgriTech Ireland, said:
“Joining agriFoodTEF provides a significant opportunity for AgriTech Ireland Cluster members to connect with a European network of expertise, facilities, and innovation partners. Through the cluster, SMEs will be able to collaborate with technical specialists, access testing and validation capabilities, and generate the evidence needed to support the development and adoption of new AgriTech solutions. This strengthens our ability to support members throughout their innovation journey while raising the profile of Irish AgriTech within the wider European innovation ecosystem.”
Prof. Joseph Walsh, Vice Dean Research & Innovation and Director of IMaR at MTU, added:
“This represents an important milestone for MTU and the IMaR Research Centre. Through this European consortium, we will combine our expertise in digital technologies, AI, and applied research with the industry engagement capabilities of the AgriTech Ireland Cluster to support AgriTech SMEs in validating and accelerating innovative solutions. This partnership strengthens Ireland’s contribution to the European AgriTech innovation ecosystem while creating new opportunities for companies to test, validate, and commercialise technologies that can support a more productive and sustainable agricultural sector.”
AgriTech Ireland works with over 50 SMEs each year, connecting businesses with technical expertise, research facilities, funding opportunities and industry partnerships. The new node status creates a direct link between those SMEs and the wider European network, offering a structured pathway from early-stage innovation through to market-ready solutions.
About AgriTech Ireland:
AgriTech Ireland is a national industry-led cluster based at Munster Technological University (MTU) Kerry. The cluster brings together industry, academia and government to support the growth and internationalisation of Ireland’s AgriTech sector.
Funded through Enterprise Ireland under the Regional Technology Clustering Fund (RTCF), AgriTech Ireland connects SMEs with the expertise, partnerships, and funding opportunities needed to accelerate innovation and improve competitiveness.
The cluster supports companies across their growth journey by enabling faster product development, enhancing productivity through digital tools, facilitating collaboration, and opening access to new international markets.
Find out more:
https://agritechireland.ie/
About agrifoodTEF:
agrifoodTEF is a European initiative providing a network of physical and digital testing facilities to support the development and validation of AI and robotics solutions in agriculture and food systems.
Funded under the EU Digital Europe Programme, agrifoodTEF brings together leading research centres, test farms, European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) and industry partners across Europe to help companies test technologies in real-world conditions, reduce risk and accelerate market adoption.
The network consists of nodes across Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden, with Ireland now joining as the 10th node through AgriTech Ireland. agrifoodTEF supports SMEs and technology providers through tailored services including test-before-invest, validation, performance benchmarking, and deployment readiness assessment.
Find out more:
https://agrifoodtef.eu/
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