Ireland secures European AgriTech testing network through MTU

MTU has joined a European network of test and experimentation facilities for the agrifood sector giving Irish AgriTech and food SMEs access to advanced testing and validation services

(Left to right): Dr Daniel Riordan, head of Department of Technology, Engineering and Mathematics at MTU Kerry; Amy Jordan, marketing executive at MTU Kerry; Professor Joseph Walsh, director of IMaR Research Centre and head of the School of STEM at MTU; and Kieran O'Donoghue, Educational Outreach (Cluster) manager at AgriTech Ireland. Photo: MTU Kerry

Irish AgriTech and food SMEs will gain access to advanced testing and validation services after Munster university was named as a base for a European network.

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, allowing Irish AgriTech and food SMEs access to advanced European testing and validation services.

MTU will deliver Ireland’s participation in the network through the IMaR Research Centre and AgriTech Ireland Cluster at its Kerry campus.

MTU 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.

The network connects research centres, test facilities and industry partners across Europe, with a focus on helping companies to develop digital and automation technologies for agriculture and food production to reduce risk.

Through this new partnership MTU will provide structured validation services which are typically eight to 12 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.

Cluster manager at AgriTech Ireland, Kieran O'Donoghue, 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."

Vice dean of Research & Innovation and director of IMaR at MTU, Professor Joseph Walsh, added: "This represents an important milestone for MTU and the IMaR Research Centre.

"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.