Science takes centre stage at Cereals 2010
NFU President Peter Kendall will today explain why science is vital to the future of the UK’s cereal production.
Speaking at the Arable Conference sessions at Cereals 2010, Mr Kendall will tell delegates that farmers are very much aware of their responsibilities; to produce efficiently for the market, to seek new opportunities, to manage their environmental footprint and to ensure British farming has a viable future.
Mr Kendall said: "The key research priority for the crops sector must be to increase efficiency of production. As a practical farmer, I can see the impact of past research and present application of science every day on my farm. The crop varieties, fertilisers and sprays, the GPS on my tractors, the decision-making tools and management practices all enable me to be more efficient in my use of land, to increase yield and quality and improve my environmental footprint. I firmly believe that it is science and, most importantly, its application on the ground, which is needed to provide the solutions to the huge challenges we face as a nation and globally.
"The exchange of applied research and knowledge also needs a stronger focus. It is not enough just having amazingly clever fundamental research going on at centres of excellence like the John Innes Centre, Rothamsted or the Institute for Animal Health. Some of this world-leading brainpower must be directed towards taking the clever science much closer to the crop or animal itself. These people will really be making a difference to the huge challenges the world is facing. We also need scientists with the practical and communication skills, a network of experts and advisers with the science skills, to really get engaged with farmers. All this reaffirms the messages from our Why Science Matters for Farming report and gives me hope that the situation can be turned around.
"Unfortunately, it is recognised that agricultural research and development has suffered in recent decades, and there are worrying skills shortages, and that this compromises our ability to deliver everything that is being demanded of us in the 21st century. Clearly the current economic circumstances are difficult. Although we can’t expect significant investment at this time, it is critical that any funding is spent effectively. Part of this must be a new model for collaboration between public and private sectors in funding research, and a concerted effort to attract the next generation of agricultural scientists to this vital and exciting field."
