March 22, 2021

 

Roslin: US$103 million investment for agritech hub

 

A £74 million (US$102.5 million) investment for a new agritech hub will improve the efficiency and output of agricultural applications and enhance worldwide food security, the Roslin Institute announced.

 

Known as the Easter Bush AgriTech Hub, the virtual hub will foster collaboration between researchers and companies to contribute to global food systems, work towards net zero carbon in the agritech sector and inform food and environmental policies.

 

Experts in the hub will use data to develop genetics and health innovations for agricultural science and business, and to build initiatives and novel systems of production, such as robotics.

 

Work in innovative areas, such as data-driven breeding and aquaculture, will enable data generation and analysis that will improve the agriculture industry worldwide.

 

The agritech hub will be nucleated at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies' Easter Bush Campus - Europe's largest concentration of animal science research expertise - where Scotland, UK-based Roslin Institute is located, with reach across the whole University of Edinburgh.

 

Investment will comprise £27 million (US$37.4 million) from the UK government, including £1.3 million (US$1.8 million) from the Scottish government, as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.

 

The investment will transform the scale and impact of agricultural technology in outputs from teaching, research and innovation.

 

The Easter Bush AgriTech Hub aims to develop world-leading research capability in data science. It will address skills shortages and gaps in the industry, as well as encourage graduates to set up or join micro-agritech companies.

 

The hub will bring together researchers from the University of Edinburgh and other higher education institutions, along with commercial, public and third sector organisations, in collaboration with project partners Midlothian Council.

 

Researchers will work with the Scottish and UK public sector, including the Animal and Plant Agency (APHA), the Scottish government's Animal Health and Welfare Division, the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), and the InnovateUK Agri-Tech Centres.

 

"This is a very exciting time for agriscience, with transformative technology and data sharing opening up new approaches for fair and inclusive growth. The City Region Deal will drive an innovation pipeline nucleated from Easter Bush campus in Midlothian, with reach both across our country and internationally, all built around novel research, fuelling a step change in upskilling, talent development and enterprise activities," said Professor Bruce Whitelaw, interim director of the Roslin Institute.

 

"The Easter Bush Agritech Hub will be a great boost to Scotland's world-leading agri-food and drink industries, promoting cutting-edge innovation and sustainability. This new facility will attract new businesses and jobs and help us to build back better for Midlothian communities," said Iain Stewart, the United Kingdom's Minister for Scotland.

 

- Roslin