Biotechnology will benefit farmers

DEVELOPMENTS in biotechnology have the potential to benefit Irish farmers by up to €250 million annually within the next 20 years, according to Professor Jimmy Burke, Head of Teagasc Crops Research Centre in Oak Park, Carlow.

He was speaking at the official opening yesterday of a new state-of-the-art crops bioscience facility by the Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan.

The minister also launched the sectoral programme for agriculture and food, part of the overall Government Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2006-2013.

Professor Burke said a new plant biotechnology programme was initiated to build on the excellent track record in research such as plant breeding.

Ms Coughlan said investment in researchwas necessary if the agri-food industry was to be successful.

She said the Government strategy explicitly recognised that the development of a profitable and sustainable food and agriculture sector was vital to the country’s economic well being.

Ms Coughlan said she believes the strategy will invigorate the research community, in particular the agriculture and food research community.

“I hope it will encourage young researchers and provide sufficient commitment to spark the ideas and technologies that will fuel our economy,” she said.

“I have no doubt that it will help farmers and agri-food businesses to compete in the modern marketplace.”

The minister said a record €97m had been provided in research funding for Teagasc, third-level institutions competing in the agri-food research programmes and her own department programmes in 2006. This is an increase from the €85m provided for such research in 2005.

Teagasc chairman Dr Tom O’Dwyer said the major investment in agriculture and food research was “the most positive development in the industry for years”.

He said the minister’s commitment that €27m from the sale of some Teagasc assets would be reinvested in upgrading its research resources and capability was a positive development.