Cambridgeshire farmer says modern technology is 'the way forward'
A survey's found nearly a third of Britons would consider a career in farming despite a lack of knowledge
Last updated 8th Jun 2025
A farmer near Peterborough believes people with more knowledge on the use of modern technology can help develop the agriculture sector.
Nearly a third of Britons would consider a career in farming despite having a lack of knowledge, according to a survey by Mortar Research.
It comes as farms across the country take part in Open Farm Sunday, designed to help connect the public with farming and dispel many myths that continue to persist about the industry.
"We're on the cusp of that change and revolution which has started in digitisation, the use of AI and autonomy," Michael Sly, of Park Farm Thorney, said.
"We're probably in the foothills of it, but it has well and truly begun."
In the survey, 15% of Gen Z - people who were typically born in or since the late 1990s - were aware AI is already being used in crop management, and 23% knew GPS is used to help with planting.
While 35% of respondents think farming is becoming more innovative and tech-driven.
Linking Environment and Farming - which organises Open Farm Sunday - has found since its first open day in 2006, more than 2,000 farmers across Britain have welcomed around 3.25 million people onto its farm for the annual event.
'Opportunity for people'
Mr Sly - a member of the National Farmers' Union - said the use of AI and autonomy can encourage skilled people to come forward, despite the financial pressures that farming faces.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio ahead of last year's general election, he said that "the situation of food security and sustainable supply chains" needs to be addressed by the next government.
That's before the current Labour leadership announced plans to impose inheritance tax for some landowners.
"With some of the headwinds our industry faces at the moment, there's going to be an opportunity for people to manage the food we eat, the environment we live in and adapt to the climate changes that overarch this," Mr Sly added.
"There will be more consolidation in the industry because there's less younger people succeeding in family businesses, so there'll be quite an opportunity by the end of the decade, I would imagine."