Agricultural report shows new themes emerging

A new report, based on a series of workshops, shines a spotlight on the latest issues that farmers would like researchers to investigate.

The work was led by Professor Tom MacMillan, Elizabeth Creak Chair at Cirencester's Royal Agricultural University. He is also a director of the Centre for Effective Innovation in Agriculture (CEIA), which launched the report, along with the NFU and Innovate UK.

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"These research and innovation needs were gathered from a great diversity of farming businesses across the UK," said MacMillan of the report, which drew on conversations with almost 100 farmers and growers during a series of workshops

"They paint a picture of an industry with its finger on the pulse, very engaged with latest ideas and technologies, from AI to agroforestry, yet also profoundly practical."

He added: "Some of the research priorities that have stayed consistent since 2013 reflect perennial issues that will likely remain ongoing, even as the details and terms used evolve.

“However, other persistent challenges, such as increasing homegrown feed and ensuring digital tools are interoperable, might be seen as solvable problems where more progress is still needed."

While the focus of the project was on what research and innovation is needed, farmers were also concerned with how this is done, and particularly, how useful it ends up being in practice.

The report findings also suggested that farmers want to be more involved in the development, design and delivery of research and innovation.

“Many of those who contributed were up for research to support bold, transformative innovation, and underlined how involving farmers could help make sure ideas worked on the ground,” explained Professor MacMillan.

"Ambitious and practical are sometimes seen as opposites, but I think the message for the research community is that we can, and should, aim for science that is both," said MacMillan.

The report also found that farmer and grower research priorities aligned well with the strategic priorities of funders, particularly around sustainable agricultural systems.

NFU vice president Rachel Hallos said: "“This report has the potential to help inform future science policy and funding strategies.

"Importantly, it also leads by example with a real focus on collaboration with end users. Next there needs to be a plan to provide all farmers and growers with easy access to the best evidence, which is crucial to helping them improve decision-making on farms."

The report can be downloaded HERE.