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Facilitator Professor David Leaver

The Oxford Farming Conference Research in association with Volac and BBSRC: Agricultural research needs and priorities: survey findings from the food and farming industry. Facilitator Professor David Leaver. Introduction.

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Facilitator Professor David Leaver

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  1. The Oxford Farming Conference Research in association with Volac and BBSRC: Agricultural research needs and priorities: survey findings from the food and farming industry Facilitator Professor David Leaver

  2. Introduction • The Oxford Farming Conference, in association with dairy nutrition company Volac and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, has commissioned leading market research specialists National Farm Research Unit and IGD to gather the views of UK farmers the UK food industry on the future needs of agricultural science. • The following are the results of the IGD food industry survey

  3. Annual UK spending on agricultural science R&D *Potential total for 2010 - £280 million (Based on previous spending plus £16M from Technology Strategy Board)

  4. Annual UK spending on agricultural science R&D Overall estimated total on agricultural science R&D for 2010 £365 million (based on previous spending plus Technology Strategy Board funding)

  5. IGD Survey Contents IGD Survey • Slide 6: Background • Slide 7: Objectives • Slide 8: Methodology • Slide 10: Results. 1. Current engagement in agricultural science research • Slide 14: Results. 2. Scope of current agricultural science research • Slide 18: Results. 3. Usefulness of current agricultural science research • Slide 22: Results. 4. Future agricultural science research requirements • Slide 29: Summary • Slide 30: Note • Slide 31: Website contacts Research by IGD

  6. Background • Modern agriculture faces a series of challenges in meeting future demand for food • A global population of 9 billion by 2050 • Rising oil prices • Changes in land use and area under cultivation due to climate change • Farmers and growers will need to • Produce more food efficiently and safely • Optimise the use of inputs • Minimise environmental impact • To tackle these challenges successfully, the needs of the whole food supply chain must be considered – from producer to processor to retailer to consumer Research by IGD

  7. Objectives • Research was carried out to seek views from the food industry on agricultural science research • Businesses at different points along the food supply chain were asked about: • Their current engagement in agricultural science research • The scope of current research • The usefulness of current agricultural science research • The research needs of their businesses in 10 years time Research by IGD

  8. Methodology • Qualitative survey of food businesses • Telephone interviews of approximately 30 minutes duration • Views from 10 food businesses from the following sectors: • Retail • Composite food manufacture • Dairy processing • Cereal processing • Meat processing • Fresh produce grower • Wholesale • Foodservice operation • Many thanks to those who took part in the survey Research by IGD

  9. Methodology continued • For the purposes of the survey, agricultural science research was limited to that focused on primary food production* • Questions included in the qualitative survey focused on four areas: • Current engagement in agricultural science research • The scope of current research • The usefulness of current agricultural science research • The research needs of their businesses in 10 years time • Emerging themes were identified * Defined as cultivation of plants for human consumption, or for conversion into products for human consumption; cultivation of plants as feed for animals for human consumption; rearing and maintenance of animals for human consumption, or to produce outputs for human consumption. Research by IGD

  10. Results1. Current engagement in agricultural science research Research by IGD

  11. 1. Current engagement in agricultural science research In what ways is your business involved in research? Research by IGD

  12. 1. Current engagement in agricultural science research Within primary food production, which area(s) of agricultural science research are currently most important to your business? • Ensuring business is sustainable • Impact on environment • Growing population • Meeting consumer demand • Government demands • Food security • Ensuring there is food to sell in the future • Grower and customer benefit • Consumer expectation of quality • Government policy on nutrition & health Research by IGD

  13. 1. Current engagement in agricultural science research How do you view the overall importance of scientific research in primary food production to your business? 9 7 8 9 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 1 (no importance) (crucially important) Median 8 Research by IGD

  14. Results2. Scope of current agricultural science research Research by IGD

  15. 2. Scope of current agricultural science research How well does agricultural science research meet the current needs of your business? • Requirements met through trade bodies and literature • Funding depends on what’s “in vogue” • Projects are tailored to meet expertise within an institution, and not industry needs • Commercial needs not met • No application to industry setting • Lack of awareness of research • Poor dissemination of information • IP restricts access Research by IGD

  16. 2. Scope of current agricultural science research What are the gaps in agricultural science research? Research by IGD

  17. 2. Scope of current agricultural science research Why do gaps in research exist? Research by IGD

  18. Results3. Usefulness of current agricultural science research Research by IGD

  19. 3. Usefulness of current agricultural science research Research by IGD

  20. 3. Usefulness of current agricultural science research What other factors affect the usefulness of agricultural science research? Research by IGD

  21. 3. Usefulness of current agricultural science research How do you rate the overall usefulness of agricultural science research? 7 3 4 7 3 4 5 6 7 10 1 Median (no importance) (crucially important) Research by IGD

  22. Results4. Future agricultural science research requirements Research by IGD

  23. 4. Future (10 years) agricultural science research requirements What issues do you think will be most important to your business? Research by IGD

  24. 4. Future (10 years) agricultural science research requirements Rank the following research areas in terms of importance to your business Respondents ranked each research area in importance from 1 (highest) to 5 (lowest). Final ranking was based on the average of all scores. Research by IGD

  25. 4. Future (10 years) agricultural science research requirements Why are these areas important? • Climate change affects all 5 areas • Maintaining a sustainable global supply base • Feeding a growing world population • Reducing impact on supply chain Climate change and other environmental considerations • Maintaining consumer confidence • Threat from changes in supply chain due to climate change Food safety Research by IGD

  26. 4. Future (10 years) agricultural science research requirements Why are these areas important? • Impact on climate and environment • Cost perspective • “Water is the new oil of tomorrow” • Energy and carbon reduction Energy prices, efficiency savings and waste reduction • Role of food industry in producing food for health • Addressing obesity • Climate change and diet • New pests arising as a result of climate change • Spread of current diseases e.g Blue tongue in cattle Human diet and health, including obesity Spread of new and emerging pests and diseases Research by IGD

  27. 4. Future (10 years) agricultural science research requirements Consequences for the food industry if research is not carried out • Increased food prices • Increased food imports • Shifting global politics: countries whose climates support food production increase in power • Individual businesses implement their own solutions: fragmented response • UK will lose competitive advantage Research by IGD

  28. 4. Future (10 years) agricultural science research requirements Technologies which will help us Research by IGD

  29. Summary • Agricultural science research is important to the food businesses surveyed • Sustainability and food security • Food quality and safety • Engagement varies • Out of the loop/unaware • Engaged and active in research • There is scope to increase application of research • Without research • Increased food prices • Increased reliance on food imports Research by IGD

  30. Note • Sample size used in this research is small (10 businesses) • Research is qualitative in nature • Caution should be used in drawing wider inference for the food and grocery sector Research by IGD

  31. Website contacts Oxford Farming Conference: www.ofc.org.uk Volac: www.volac.com BBSRC: www.bbsrc.ac.uk IGD: www.igd.com

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