Dyson Farming Research is pleased to announce that we have secured DEFRA funding through the Innovate UK–managed ADOPT programme to lead an exciting new project that will help transform potato production into a more sustainable, higher‑value crop for UK agriculture.

The project builds on pioneering work by Fibe Ltd, who have demonstrated that potato stems are a viable source of high‑quality textile fibre. This innovation has attracted strong interest from the fashion and materials sector, which is actively seeking new, sustainable sources of fibre that reduce reliance on environmentally intensive materials.

For growers, potato stems are normally a nuisance by‑product of harvest, adding cost and complication to field operations. By supplying stems to Fibe, growers such as Dyson Farming and Sentry Farms can turn this crop waste into a valuable raw material—saving operational costs, improving the sustainability profile of potato production, and enabling farmers to become essential contributors to a greener, UK‑based fibre industry.

However, adopting new technologies into commercial operations—particularly in high‑value crops like potatoes—naturally carries risk. Early tests of Fibe’s new mechanical stem harvester have been extremely promising, but before widespread adoption, growers need confidence that stem removal has no negative impact on tuber quality.

Through this ADOPT‑funded project, Dyson Farming Research, Sentry Farms, NIAB and Fibe will work together to evaluate stem harvesting in real farm conditions. The consortium will:

• Monitor crop performance and tuber quality under different stem‑harvesting timings and field conditions
• Optimise the logistics so stem collection fits smoothly alongside other farm operations
• Identify best‑practice guidance to ensure commercial viability for UK potato growers

The results will give farmers the evidence they need to confidently supply stems for fibre production, helping to establish potatoes as a dual‑purpose crop where both tubers and stems deliver value. By generating more output from the same land, inputs and emissions, this project supports a more profitable, circular and environmentally positive future for UK potato farming.

We look forward to sharing updates as the project progresses.