Cornwall Drone Business Secures £50,000 to Transform Agricultural Work
A former dairy herdsman and farm manager based in Cornwall is pioneering the use of drone technology to streamline labour-intensive tasks on farms. Seamus McGuinness, who operates from Bodmin, has successfully secured a £50,000 funding package for his company, Horizon Agri, through the British Business Bank's Start Up Loans programme and the South West Investment Fund, delivered by SWIG Finance.
Funding Breakdown and Equipment Investment
The finance package consists of a £25,000 start-up loan and an additional £25,000 loan from the South West Investment Fund. This capital has been strategically invested in acquiring specialist equipment, including two agricultural drones, batteries, software, generators, water tanks, pumps, and a trailer for transportation. This investment enables Horizon Agri to offer advanced solutions to the agricultural sector.
Applications and Benefits of Drone Technology
The drones are designed to assist farmers in monitoring crop health, mapping fields, and delivering fertiliser with precision, thereby reducing waste and controlling costs. According to Mr McGuinness, while drones may not entirely replace conventional methods, they offer significant advantages. "You can cover a larger area faster, and it's much easier to fertilise tall crops with this technology," he explained. "There is zero crop damage and no soil compaction from driving machinery around the field, and you can even eliminate tramlines for vehicles to maximise planting."
He highlighted a practical example: "Following all the rain at the start of the year, the land has been so wet it's been impossible to drive around, but the crops still need fertiliser. A drone makes this possible." Beyond crop fertilisation, the technology extends to other applications such as cleaning solar panels, greenhouses, and polytunnels, as well as providing precision shading for crop protection. Using drones is often cheaper and less damaging than traditional methods, allowing for more frequent cleaning and increased efficiency.
Support from Financial Partners
Rachel Thomson, business manager at SWIG Finance, praised the venture: "Seamus has great enthusiasm for his business, and I think Horizon Agri Ltd has real potential to reduce costs for landowners through precision farming and other applications." David Tindall, senior investment manager from the British Business Bank, added: "Agri-tech is a growing sector with huge potential to improve productivity and sustainability across UK agriculture. Businesses like Horizon Agri Ltd show how technologies such as drones can help farmers work more efficiently while reducing costs and environmental impact."
Background on Funding Programmes
The Start Up Loans programme, part of the British Business Bank, offers personal loans of up to £25,000 per director along with free mentoring to support new or early-stage businesses. SWIG Finance serves as the British Business Bank's business support partner for this government-backed initiative in the South West region, facilitating growth and innovation in local enterprises like Horizon Agri.
