Elveden Farms to become research hub

Suffolk potato grower Elveden Farms is set to become a research and demonstration hub after winning over £100,000 in regional agri-tech funding.

Known as a Strategic Potato (SPot) Farm, the project is co-ordinated and co-funded by AHDB Potatoes, and will allow the industry to witness the latest research and practical science in action.

A total of £109,273 from the Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative will fund programmes looking at agricultural productivity, as well as business improvement and discussion forums. The SPot farm initiatives are farmer-driven and are designed to give growers the confidence to make changes on their own farms.

“It’s not just about bridging the gap between research and farm practice. The real value lies in stimulating discussion,” said AHDB knowledge exchange manager and project coordinator, Jenny Bashford.

“We’re delighted to have the backing of the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to enable this ambitious and beneficial project to take place.

“I’m also looking forward to the experience of working with someone of the calibre of innovative farm manager Andrew Francis and his motivated team at Elveden.

“As our SPot Farm hosts, they will help us challenge conventional working practices and, using proven research, demonstrate how potato growers can benefit from applying beneficial adjustments to commercial growing systems.”

Elveden senior farms manager Andrew Francis said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Elveden and the wider community. It will allow us to engage with the country’s best scientists and find ways of putting the research into practice.

“Through the knowledge exchange activities this experience will be available to all growers, and we will be able to lead change in the industry and look forward to a sustainable future.”

Mark Reeve, chairman of the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership (LEP) said the project will help keep the east of England at the forefront of potato innovation.

“Driving forward innovation is a key focus of the LEP, I am therefore pleased to offer Elveden funding to run the SPot Farm,” he said.

The Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative is run by the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Grants are available to organisations looking to invest in specialist equipment, new market and supply chain development, ways to improve productivity and efficiency, and R&D.