Skip to main content
Harper Adams University logo

    Harper Adams University welcomes new Agri-Tech Strategy

    Posted 22 July 2013

    Harper Adams University has welcomed the Government’s new £160m Agri-Tech Strategy - a plan with the objective of boosting the use of farming technology and turning the UK into a world leader in agricultural science.

    The strategy, launched today at East Malling Research in Kent, is part of the wider Industrial Strategy being developed by Government in key sectors of the economy, and aims to help farmers to deliver sustainable, healthy and affordable food for the future.

    It includes plans for a £160m Government investment to develop cutting edge technologies, whilst encouraging industry to transform UK farming so that it can employ the latest innovations whilst reducing environmental impacts and resource use.

    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.”

    Commenting on the Agri-Tech Strategy, Dr David Llewellyn, Vice-Chancellor of Harper Adams University, said: “We welcome the Government’s bold plan to invest in the development of agricultural science and research.

    “The Agri-Tech Strategy helpfully recognises that we must also bridge the gap between basic research and the marketplace with effective applied research and skills development, to make it easier for the farming sector to implement increasingly rapid advances in technology. 

    “Harper Adams University has some unique contributions it can make to the implementation of the Strategy, including through our National Centre for Precision Farming, our Soil and Water Management Centre, our expertise across the agri-food chain and our collaborations with networks such as the Centre for Excellence in UK Farming.

    "We are particularly pleased to see that the National Centre for Precision Farming is highlighted in the report and that the Government is prepared to consider a case for the establishment of a Centre for Innovation in Agri-Engineering.  This recognises the important role that agricultural engineering will play in delivering the Strategy and in future farming practice."

    Cookies on the Harper Adams University website

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the website. However, you can change your cookie settings at any time.