Improving the efficiency and output of agriculture and enhancing worldwide food security will be the focus at a new multi-million pound agri-tech hub outside Edinburgh.
The £74 million investment in the Easter Bush Agritech Hub promises to see world-leading research and technology used to identify solutions for global future food systems and to help move the agritech sector towards a net zero carbon future.
Researchers at the virtual hub will apply the use of data to develop genetics and health innovations in the agriscience and agribusiness arena by bringing together researchers from the University of Edinburgh and other higher education institutions, along with commercial, public and third sector organisations.
The funding, from UK and Scottish governments and the University of Edinburgh, will be used to engage with existing and emerging areas of innovation such as data-driven breeding and aquaculture to encourage, enable and analyse data aimed at improving the agriculture industry worldwide.
Based at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies’ Easter Bush Campus near Roslin, Midlothian, the hub aims to develop world-leading research capability in data science by keying into Europe’s largest concentration of animal science research expertise which already exists on the site.
“This is a very exciting time for agriscience, with transformative technology and data sharing opening up new approaches for fair and inclusive growth,” said Professor Bruce Whitelaw, interim director of the Roslin Institute.
Iain Stewart, UK Government Minister for Scotland, added: “The Easter Bush Agritech Hub will be a great boost to Scotland’s world-leading agri-food and drink industries, promoting cutting-edge innovation and sustainability.”
Source: The Scotsman