THE Royal Agricultural University’s (RAU) brand new Rural Innovation Centre (RIC) at Harnhill Manor Farm was officially launched earlier this month by Former Government Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor Sir John Beddington.

Leading industry professionals and representatives from BASF, Agrii, CCRI, FWAG and the Princes Countryside Fund converged at the new centre, an important development for the agricultural sector, and enjoyed an afternoon discussing the hot topics in agriculture.

The University, together with the Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust, has invested £1.2million in the centre, which aims to share cutting-edge knowledge between those involved in agricultural production and applied research.

It is hoped the centre will enable the promotion of education, innovation and knowledge exchange.

RAU Principal, Professor Chris Gaskell CBE, said: “The ambitions for the Rural Innovation Centre underpin the Royal Agricultural University’s goal to play a role in meeting the challenges of sustainably feeding a growing global population whilst stimulating growth, diverse employment opportunities, and economic activity in rural areas.”

Professor Sir John Beddington, Governor at the RAU, spoke at the launch alongside other speakers, discussing technology and needs for the future and the University’s translational research, before officially opening the centre.

Details of the University’s latest research and consultancy were on display for industry professional to discuss with RAU academics, including KisanHub – a cloud-based, integrated software platform.

Plus there were live demonstrations of rural skills such as forges, dry stone walling and hurdle making, which are available at the RIC.

Alongside sharing of scientific research, the RIC will enable the University to build on the vocational rural skills training it already provides to organisations and individuals.

The centre was visited by HRH the Prince of Wales prior to its official launch towards the end of last year.

For more information please contact shelly.hampshire@rau.ac.uk on 01285 652531.