Opportunities for the marketing of UK soft fruit are set to come under the microscope thanks to the Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust.
The organisation has awarded 22 scholarships for 2004, which will give candidates the chance to study new skills and practices in farming and agriculture from around the world, with their expenses paid for by the trust.
Soft fruit will be one of the topics under investigation by farmer Andrew Gray, thanks to the trust.
Gray, of Auchrennie Farm, Muirdrum by Carnoustie, Scotland, will be looking at the production and marketing opportunities open to UK growers to sustain market demand.
As well as travelling to America and the Middle East to investigate the countries’ advanced soft fruit industries, Gray will also visit Japan to look at specialised niche markets which offer increased returns.
John Stones, director of the trust, said: “Nuffield scholars have no pre-requisite qualifications - other than vision, enthusiasm and a determination to study a subject they feel passionate about.”
