22.07.13
£160m to boost agricultural technology
A new Agricultural Technology Strategy has been announced to make the UK “a world leader” in agricultural science and technology.
The Government is investing £160m to transform farming techniques and address global food security issues. The funding includes £90m for new Centres of Agricultural Innovation, with up to £10m for a centre of Informatics and Metrics of Sustainability, and a £70m Agri-Tech Catalyst to help new technology into the marketplace.
An industry Leadership Council will be created to improve the UK’s international competitiveness.
Universities and science minister David Willetts said: “Some of the biggest brands in farming and food are based in the UK. We have a world class science and research community and our institutes and universities are at the forefront of agricultural research.
“To get ahead in the global race, this strategy sets out how we can ensure that we turn our world-beating agricultural science and research into world-beating products and services.”
Defra minister for science Lord De Mauley said: “We face a global challenge to feed the rapidly increasing population in a way which is affordable and sustainable.
“We are investing in technologies that will enable British farmers to meet these challenges and take advantage of the growing demand in export markets for British food.”
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