Horticulture producers to benefit from Teagasc’s British partnership

HORTICULTURE producers are to benefit from a new research-sharing partnership between Teagasc and Horticultural Development Company (HDC), based in Britain.

Under the memorandum of understanding, Teagasc and HDC will share existing and future research, produce joint publications and jointly run open days, conferences, and seminars.

This collaboration opens up a huge bank of research to both HDC and Teagasc’s horticultural development department.

Teagasc head of horticulture, Jim O’Mahony said: “We are delighted with this very progressive development which is already inspiring our research and advisory staff by opening up access to vast resources and possibilities of joint projects.

“This is an important agreement for Teagasc whereby the collaboration of the research and advisory resources of the two organisations will improve the service delivered to commercial horticulture producers in Ireland and will support the development of the sector into the future.”

The HDC is a division of the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board in Britain and is based in Stoneleigh Park, England. The HDC sponsors near-market research and development.

Growers and farmers play a very active role in the HDC’s research projects. The group is responsible for over 300 crops, supporting research in seven areas: bulbs and outdoor flowers; field vegetables; hardy nursery stock; mushrooms; protected crops; soft fruits and tree fruit.

HDC director of horticulture, Dr William Parker, said: “I look forward to collaborating with Teagasc staff to identify future horticultural prospects of mutual interest and working together to bring them to fruition for the benefit of HDC levy payers.”