Fresh produce could learn from the health research industry how to better translate academic research into commercial benefits, according to a new AHDB study.
The report, by PhD student Jonathan Menary from Warwick Crop Centre, looked at why parts of the horticulture industry do not always take up ideas and research that emerges from universities and research institutes.
One component of the study compared the agricultural innovation system with the health research industry, to assess how research is translated into new technology and practices.
Elsewhere, the study found that profitability is a key barrier to implementing R&D, as there are diverse crop groups competing for limited budgets. Further collaboration in R&D could help drive this innovation uptake, the study found, while regulations and skills gaps are among other barriers.
Project leader Rosemary Collier said: “The UK fresh produce industry faces a number of challenges and innovation has been promoted as an important way of meeting these challenges.
“However, the nature of innovation in the industry is complex. This project seeks to provide a better understanding of innovation in the industry and indications of how to improve innovative capacity, and relevant knowledge generation and exchange.”
AHDB Horticulture’s Jon Knight said: “We know that the fresh produce industry is well-positioned to adopt new technology and innovation whether that is automation to reduce labour costs, or new techniques to improve quality of produce, but ultimately as researchers we need to address why some growers cannot implement recommendations and focus on delivering tailored outcomes.'
