Inside Sir James Dyson’s Vast Farming and Tech Ventures

Sir James Dyson is best known for vacuum cleaners and innovative household products. But he also runs a huge farming empire in the UK. Dyson Farming manages about 36,000 acres across Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, and Somerset. It claims to be Britain’s largest farming business.

The farming operation began around 2012. Dyson started buying land including the Nocton Estate and the Churn Estate. Today, Dyson Farming produces over 100,000 tonnes of crops yearly. The main products include malting barley, wheat, oilseeds, and potatoes.

One standout project is Dyson’s glasshouse in Lincolnshire. It uses advanced technology like robotic arms, UV robots, and digital motors. The glasshouse also generates its own electricity. This mix of tech and farming shows Dyson’s focus on automation and efficiency.

High-Tech Strawberry Trials and Crop Protection

Dyson Farming is also working on improving strawberry quality. They’ve teamed up with an Israeli startup, LiVA Biotechnology. LiVA uses a prebiotic formula that activates the natural microbiomes on fruit surfaces. This helps fight spoilage organisms and keeps strawberries fresh during transport.

LiVA’s current solution is a drop-in sticker applied to fruit. They plan to switch to a printed version applied at packing. The goal is to reduce food waste and improve shelf life.

On another front, California-based TRIC Robotics operates autonomous UV-C robots in strawberry fields. These robots treat up to 60 acres overnight, using UV light to target pests and fungi. The Luna platform covers six rows at once and can treat 50 to 100 acres depending on conditions.

Research from California Polytechnic State University in April 2026 found that UV-C doses between 600 and 1,800 J/m² stop spider mite eggs from hatching. Adult mites need doses above 9,000 J/m² to be killed, so UV-C mainly stops eggs. TRIC’s robots treat about 30 acres each night, with two robots covering 60 acres. The company plans to expand to 40–50 robots.

TRIC Robotics offers crop protection as a service. They deliver, set up, and maintain the robots for farmers. Founder Adam Stager says this approach makes advanced technology easier to access without big upfront costs.

From Farming to Rugby: Dyson’s Diverse Investments

Besides farming and tech, Sir James Dyson has invested in Bath Rugby. In 2026, he took a 50% stake in the Premiership champions. His family has been involved with the club for decades, and he’s been a longtime supporter.

Bruce Craig chairs Bath Rugby, which recently won a historic treble including the league title. Dyson’s involvement aims to speed up the club’s growth and boost its influence in the league. This move is about legacy as much as profit.

Simon Massie-Taylor, the league’s chief executive, called Dyson’s investment “great news” for Bath and its fans. Dyson’s passion for the club and community is clear.

Dyson’s career has seen big shifts. In 2019, he spent about £500 million trying to build an electric car before dropping the project. Since then, he has redirected £2.75 billion into artificial intelligence, robotics, and solid-state batteries. This new focus aligns with the advanced technologies used in his farming and crop protection ventures.

Oskar Szymanski, Senior Technical Manager at Dyson Farming, says strawberries are delicate and rely heavily on manual handling. He explains the company is shifting toward robotic harvesting and automation. This change will improve consistency, efficiency, and handling precision across the entire supply chain.

Ifat Peled Dinstag, CEO and co-founder of LiVA, praises Dyson Farming as a partner. She highlights their world-class growing standards and commitment to testing innovations that fit their long-term vision.

Dyson’s blend of agriculture, robotics, and sports shows a broad approach to investment. From 36,000 acres of farmland to innovative fruit preservation and rugby fields, his empire stretches far beyond vacuum cleaners and fans.