AI-powered micro-learning for the UK farming sector

The UK agricultural sector is facing a skills shortage threatening food security and progress towards Net Zero. Despite rising demand for regenerative practices, current training does not provide the hands-on, applied learning needed for farmers to implement these approaches effectively. Long hours, often 15–18 hour days during peak season, leave little time to step away from the farm, making off-site training difficult to access. As a result, skills gaps persist and employers struggle to recruit, not because of lack of demand but because training does not fit the realities of agricultural work.

Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) will develop a mobile-first learning platform designed to fit into farmers’ daily routines. The platform will deliver short, university-validated video content on topics including soil health, nutrient cycling and carbon management. Content will be presented in a scrollable, video-led format similar to TikTok, allowing users to access learning in short bursts. An AI assessment tool trained on QUB data will allow learners to record spoken responses and receive instant feedback.

This approach will enable farmers to build practical skills without leaving the farm, fitting learning around daily work. Designed to work in low or no connectivity settings, the platform is aimed at increasing uptake among younger farmers and new entrants underserved by existing provision. As well as working with regional farming organisations in Northern Ireland to test and refine the platform, QUB will explore a clear licensing route for wider adoption. This model could be adopted across rural and land-based sectors, offering a scalable, flexible way to deliver work-based learning that meets the learners where they are.