Meeting the challenges

Agriculture and food production face enormous challenges in the years ahead including:

Global food supplies need to increase by 50% over the next 20 years to keep pace with the demands of a growing world population. That increase must be achieved on less land, using fewer resources and with mounting scientific concern over the impact of climate change. In addition, plants are becoming important resources for the production of medicines and health-promoting compounds.

NIAB Innovation Farm’s programme of specialist workshops and open days provides an interactive forum for researchers and commercial businesses. Field and glasshouse plots, exhibits and a dedicated visitor centre are used to demonstrate the latest advances in crop development. We welcome all those working in, and with, the agriculture and horticulture sectors including growers, policy-makers, and supply chain stakeholders.

These advances include progress in improving:

• yield
• quality
• seasonality
• diversity
• performance
• resource use efficiency