Agricultural research hubs have benefited from new industrial strategy funding from the government. 

Agricultural research council BBSRC has received an additional £16.6 million from the government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) to develop new agricultural technologies, of which over £6m will be going to Rothamsted Research. 

Unveiling the funds last week, Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson said, “This significant investment will support pioneering bioscience research and development projects that will reduce our reliance on carbon, boost the productivity of our nation’s crops and develop new world-leading agricultural technologies.”

Projects funded under the ISCF include research and development in the areas of industrial biotechnology, developing agri-food tech, and smart Crop Protection.

Professor Melanie Welham, BBSRC Chief Executive said: “Bioscience continues to push the frontiers of knowledge and understanding, providing ample opportunities to address the challenges we face in food security and energy and also to transform the UK's future bioeconomy.”

Rothamsted will be conducting the ‘Smart crop protection’ work, over the course of a five year programme.

Researchers at the independent Hertfordshire institute said the programme will aim to improve crop productivity by using the latest technology to detect, monitor, predict and control insect pests, plant pathogens and weeds. The programme will use chemical, genetic, biological, ecological, mathematical and agronomic approaches to improve control of pests, weeds and diseases.  

“We are delighted to have received ISCF investment for the delivery of research that offer solutions for one of agriculture’s most testing challenges,” said Achim Dobermann, Rothamsted’s director and chief executive. “Globally, 30% of crop yield is lost to pests, pathogens and weeds. Improving the efficiency and sustainability of crop protection is one of the most accessible ways to intensify agriculture sustainably.”

Paul Neve, leader of the Sustainable Crop Protection programme at Rothamsted, commented, “Through this investment, we aim to deliver a new vision for managing crop health. Using the latest technologies, our goal is to limit the incidence, distribution, dispersal, evolutions and impact of crop biotic threats. We also aim to maximise the efficacy and sustainability of control interventions”