A new research initiative launched in the UK is aiming to bring academic researchers together with the fresh produce industry, in order to deliver bigger yields of better quality fresh produce to the consumer through more sustainable farming practices.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) will provide up to £7m (€8.4m) in funding, via the Horticulture and Potato Initiative, for research projects with both an academic and an industrial partner. Additional funding will be provided by the industrial partners themselves and by the Scottish Government and the Natural Environment Research Council.
One of the key areas the initiative will focus on is helping growers adapt to a changing climate, while it will also emphasise the need for any increases in production to be sustainable given the fact that the global population is estimated to hit 9bn by 2050.
'Any research initiative to improve fruits and vegetables should start with the end product - what do we as consumers want to eat,' said Dr Celia Caulcott, BBSRC director of innovation and skills. 'That is why we're excited about this initiative. We can combine the scientific expertise of academic researchers with the real-world expertise of industry in the hope of delivering bigger yields of better quality fruit and veg for us all to buy.'
Tony Taylor, chief executive of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, called collaboration 'essential' for future development.
'Collaboration between researchers and industry is essential for the development of practical business solutions,' Taylor noted. 'This BBSRC initiative will help focus the research and development community towards addressing real cross sector opportunities and challenges.'
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