A group of farming and research organisations are teaming up in a bid to better understand the research and innovation priorities for farmers and growers across the UK.
This autumn, a series of workshops hosted by the National Farmers Union (NFU); the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB); Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF); and Innovative Farmers, among others, will ask farmers what research would be most useful to their business, now and in the long term.
The groups will hear views from all major agricultural sectors, across a wide diversity of farming systems.
The Royal Agricultural University (RAU) is one of the organisers of the research. Prof Tom MacMillan, the Elizabeth Creak chair in rural policy and strategy at RAU said: “The need for innovation in agriculture has never been more urgent.
“Our industry is grappling with rapid changes in policy and trade, heightened volatility, and climate and nature crises.
“Research is vital to help understand these challenges and find ways to address them. As researchers, there is certainly more we can do to make sure our work is truly relevant on the ground.”
Workshops and research
The workshops are supported by organisations including Innovate UK and the Agricultural Universities Council (AUC), which brings together 16 UK universities that carry out research in agriculture.
In May, the AUC published its joint research strategy setting out how the universities would work together to help address challenges facing farming.
Top of the list was working more with farmers and others at the sharp end, to understand their priorities and shape the research agenda.
Chief science advisor for the NFU, Dr Helen Ferrier, said: “It is so important that the voices of farmers and growers are heard when research strategies are developed.
“These are the people who will be turning scientific knowledge into practice in their businesses and they therefore play a key role in enabling Government funding to show a return on investment.
“The positive impact of innovation in our sector can be extremely significant if the research and development and knowledge exchange system works well.”
Challenge director at Innovate UK, Dr Katrina Hayter, said: “Innovate UK recognises the importance of the agri-food sector, understanding its vital role in both the UK economy and environmental sustainability.
“To maintain and enhance this role, we need to continually reassess our strategies and identify the sector’s key research and innovation priorities.
“We are pleased to provide our support to this multidisciplinary initiative and extend our thanks to all those who contributed to the success of the workshops and the creation of the final report.”
