Strong research base is 'key' to food targets

"New technology will play a key role in the future from farm gate to consumer," Professor David Leaver, told the second day of the Oxford Farming Conference.

"Without the right research, food prices and imports are likely to rise, further eroding the UK's competitive advantage," he added.

Leaver co-ordinated a survey of 600 farmers and ten food industry leaders, commissioned by the conference organisers, which called for more research into improved cultivation techniques and methods of withstanding climate change.

Retailers, processors, wholesalers and food service operators rated the importance of primary agricultural research to their business at eight out of ten but judged the usefulness of current research at only five out of ten.

The farmers surveyed identified plant breeding as the most important future production development, with genetic modification (GM) technology seen as playing a significant role, as well as soil and water management.

Government research fared badly in the survey. Despite picking up the tab for 75 per cent of the 350 million spent on agricultural research every year, only 21 per cent of farmers believed government was the most important deliverer of science. More than 60 per cent of farmers said the agricultural supply industry – which contributes only 16 per cent of the cost – was more important.

"Farmers suggested science research needs to be more applied and simpler to understand if they are to derive the greatest value from it," said Leaver. "Communication of research is seen as key."