Thursday 25th August 2016, 12:00pm
Ten new interdisciplinary projects have received a share of £3 million to improve the sustainability of UK farming.
The funding was awarded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) alongside 12 industry partners.
The grants totalling £3.2M were funded in the second round of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Innovation Club (SARIC), which supports interdisciplinary projects to provide solutions to key challenges affecting the efficiency, productivity and sustainability of the UK crop and livestock sectors.
Among the funded research studies is work to improve the weather resilience of crops, sensing soil nitrogen, and advanced technologies for crop management.
The translational studies include work to establish decision tools for slurry usage and potato cyst nematode management, devices to assess and improve the use of animal nutrients, and an assessment of the risks of pesticide run-off.
"The projects recommended for funding through this round of the
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Innovation Club will contribute to
addressing issues relevant both to sustainable intensification of
farming and the agricultural industry.
We are pleased that
the projects will investigate a diverse range of topics that explore
biological, environmental and social issues in agriculture. The SARIC
community is well placed to ensure the results of these studies can be
translated into benefits for society.”
SARIC was formed following consultation with trade associations, levy boards, policy makers and academia. The discussions identified a need to bring together researchers from the environmental, biological and social sciences with industry, to translate knowledge for the purpose of progressing towards more sustainable agricultural systems.
Industry partners pay a subscription fee to be part of SARIC and benefit from improved connectivity with the UK research base and early access to research and translation outcomes. This five year public-private partnership will result in approximately £10M being invested to address key challenges identified by industry.
Source: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
Roslin Innovation Centre
The University of Edinburgh
Easter Bush Campus
Midlothian EH25 9RG
