Breakthroughs
in nutrition, informatics, satellite imaging, remote sensing, meteorology and
precision farming mean the agriculture sector is one of the world’s fastest
growing sectors.
The Agricultural Technologies Strategy, launched today, includes a
£160 million government investment in developing cutting edge technologies, and
taking innovative products such as cancer-fighting broccoli from the field to
the shopping aisle.
Industry is also expected to invest heavily in the strategy which
will transform farming in the UK, using the latest technologies to ensure the
process is as productive as possible whilst reducing environmental impact and
resource use.
With the demand for food rising rapidly worldwide, the strategy
also aims to make the UK a world leader in addressing global food security
issues.
Agri-tech is a well-established and important UK sector. The
entire agri-food supply chain, from agriculture to final retailing and
catering, is estimated to contribute £96billion to the economy and employ
3.8million people.
Universities and Science Minister David Willetts said: “Some of
the biggest brands in farming and food are based in the UK. We have a world
class science and research community and our institutes and universities are at
the forefront of agricultural research.
“To get ahead in the global race, this strategy sets out how we
can ensure that we turn our world-beating agricultural science and research
into world-beating products and services.”
This Agricultural Technologies Strategy follows the recent plans
for automotive, construction, aerospace and other key sectors to secure
sustainable future growth in the economy.
Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Minister
for Science Lord De Mauley said: “We face a global challenge to feed the
rapidly increasing population in a way which is affordable and sustainable.
“We are investing in technologies that will enable British farmers
to meet these challenges and take advantage of the growing demand in export
markets for British food.”
To
take advantage of agriculture’s opportunities and drive growth the Agricultural
Technologies Strategy sets out a range of key actions, including:
•a £90 million government investment in world class Centres for
Agricultural Innovation with additional investment from industry. The centres
will support the wide-scale adoption of innovation and technology across key
sectors, technologies and skills in the food and farming supply chain. This
includes up to £10 million for a Centre for Agricultural Informatics and
Metrics of Sustainability which will use data from farms, laboratories and
retailers to drive innovation
•creating a £70 million Agri-Tech Catalyst to help new
agricultural technologies bridge the so called ‘valley of death’ between the
lab and the marketplace. Co-funded with industry, the catalyst will
specifically support small and medium sized enterprises. The investment
includes £10 million to support the transfer of technology and new products to
developing countries
•the creation of an industry Leadership Council to unify the
agriculture technology sector and make the UK more internationally competitive
•the recruitment of a new UKTI agri-tech team to boost exports and
overseas investment in the UK’s agricultural technologies
In addition also announced today:
•£30 million for four agri-science research and innovation
campuses by Biotechnolocy and Biological Sciences Research Council
•a multi million pound scientific research partnership between
Rothamsted and Syngenta to increase wheat productivity
A new Leadership Council will bring together representatives from
the diverse agriculture sector, including food and farming production,
industry, science and research, and government.
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