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<p>Defra has invested over £8.2 million between 2018 and 2024 on Genetic Improvement
Networks on nationally and internationally important crops including wheat, oilseed
rape, pulses and vegetable crops in research identifying genetic traits to improve
their productivity, sustainability, resilience and nutritional quality. We are working
with breeders to incorporate these traits into elite UK crop varieties. In May the
Government announced additional investment in genetic improvement of up to £30 million
to unlock the potential of precision breeding technologies.</p><p> </p><p>We have
also committed over £104 million to date through the £270 million Farming Innovation
Programme for industry-led research and development in agriculture and horticulture
in England. This investment is enabling more farmers, growers and agri-food businesses
to become involved in agricultural R&D. This will maximise the impact of R&D
investment in innovation and improve the take up of novel approaches on farms.</p><p>
</p><p>UK Research and Innovation also has a longstanding strategic priority on Sustainable
Agriculture and Food (averaging £139 million per year), supporting critical ‘underpinning’
research and capability/skills development in plant science, pest and pathogen biology.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council’s recently announced Institute
Strategic Programme includes ‘Building Robustness in Crops’, ‘Advancing Plant Health’,
and ‘Delivering Sustainable Wheat’, which are all seeking to tackle strategic challenges
in agriculture over the next five-year period.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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