Experts on agri-tech will be focusing attention on new technologies in the face of sharply rising cereals prices at a major agricultural event which takes place tomorrow and Thursday at Duxford.

The key role the emerging agri-tech sector is set to play in agriculture will be discussed at a technical seminar hosted by Agri-Tech East at Cereals 2014.

Around 26,000 farmers and agricultural industry specialists are expected to descend on Cereals 2014, which is being hosted by farmer Robert Law, at Chrishall Grange.

The Agri-Tech East seminar takes place at 10am on Thursday at the Arable Conference marquee. Agri-Tech East is a new business-focused organisation bringing together farmers and growers with researchers and technologists, entrepreneurs and investors.

The East of England is considered to be in a prime position to host a world-leading agri-tech cluster.

The region is already renowned for agricultural best-practice as well as for knowledge of plant breeding, DNA sequencing, information management and advanced engineering.

The Agri-Tech East seminar will look at emerging technologies including new tools for breeders, on farm decision-making tools and remote monitoring by unmanned systems.

The region is a leader in the global market for unmanned systems, which it is estimated will be worth £18billion over the next decade with applications in precision farming, monitoring and land use inspection.

Norwich company Hexcam will be showing its hexicopter on the Agri-Tech East stand and will fly it over the trials site, showing how farmers will do their inspections in future.

Speakers at Agri-Tech East seminar include Dr Belind Clarke of Agri-Tech East, whose talk is entitled Time for an Agri-Tech Cluster.

Dr Cristobal Uauy, of the John Innes Centre in Norwich, will be talking about the wheat revolution.

Peter Werner of KWS UK, based in Royston, will be discussing tools for improving yield, and Peter Lee of Taylor Vinters LLP will discuss the role of the flying eye.

Dr Lynn Dicks, of the University of Cambridge will look at what makes a good decision support tool.

Experts at the Agri-Tech East stand will also be discussing opportunities for grant funding for agri-tech innovation. The stand is located in the 4th avenue education area of the show.

More than 500 agricultural suppliers are expected to attend the event, which features live demonstrations including crop plots, working demonstrations, a sprays and sprayers arena and renewables, an area dedicated to renewable energy, biofuels and non-food crops.

Sector suppliers will be showing off the very latest products, including seeds sprayers, crops varieties, cultivation equipment, fertilisers and finance.

n Tickets cost £23 per adult and £19 per student. For details, visit www.cerealsevent.co.uk.