Supermarket Morrisons is launching a research-focused farming programme in a bid to boost the efficiency and sustainability of British agriculture.
The grocer has teamed up with the NFU and a number of agricultural colleges and is also planning to open two research farms, where it plans to create centres of excellence for applied farming research.
Morrisons chief executive Marc Bolland said: "Through our new Farming Programme we are investing in taking a leading role in applied farm research and making a contribution to helping the long-term sustainability of British farming."
The first Morrisons research farm will be a 700-acre venture on the Dumfries House Estate in East Ayrshire, working in conjunction with the Scottish Agricultural College and the NFU Scotland. The supermarket is also planning to establish a similar centre in South East England.
The farming programme will concentrate on improving efficiency and best practice. Morrisons is setting up a farm supply website, where beef farmers can check their carcass data and look at the quality and price of their products compared to other suppliers.
It is also aiming to improve communication across the supply chain with the launch of farmer groups for the dairy, beef, poultry and egg sectors.
Morrisons plans to continue its investment in applied farm research via its farmer groups and by working closely with leading agricultural colleges.
The first such project – a review of dairy cattle cross-breeding – is currently taking place and the supermarket said it expects to publish the results next month.
The NFU is backing the initiative and said it was keen to work in partnership with Morrisons wherever possible.
NFU president, Peter Kendall, said: "The three key elements of this programme are critical issues for our industry. Therefore we see this as a significant commitment by Morrisons to the future of the industry and to the future supply of quality British food and we look forward to discussing and developing this further."
Jim McLaren, president, NFU Scotland, said: "It is extremely good news for the agriculture industry that one of the country’s leading retailers is willing to engage at this level.
"It is a real example to follow and by Morrisons investing in this way – not least by becoming farmers themselves – the understanding with the farming industry can be developed further. It is these kinds of initiatives that will help forge a sustainable future for our sector."
