Collaboration, collaboration, collaboration. That is the clear message from the HDC, following the unveiling of the new Impact on horticulture through collaboration document.
Launched at a special event, hosted by the Right Honourable Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde at the House of Lords on Tuesday (17th), the publication highlights some of the many projects delivered through Defras Horticulture LINK project, illustrating the tremendous value of collaborative approaches to research and development.
While no new work is being commissioned through the Horticulture LINK programme, the HDC is still involved in many of the remaining projects due to run until early 2015. Impact on horticulture through collaboration reviews the wealth of collaborative work completed over the course of the last 15 years and the ways in which it is delivering real benefit to growers.
Coming just two weeks after Caroline Spelman MP stressed the importance of collaborative partnerships, the document is a timely reminder of the work already taking place in the horticulture sector. However, the industry now faces the increasing challenge of extracting the maximum value from available research funding.
HDC Chairman Neil Bragg said, "We have published this review to highlight the tremendous value of collaborative approaches to R&D and the depth and breadth of projects funded through Defra's Horticulture LINK scheme. Many of these projects have yielded results already taken up by industrial partners; others have generated new information which has led to continued development by academic partners into new crop sectors.
"All the outcomes have demonstrated the robust nature of the scheme and the real impact of the programme. As an industry we must now find new ways to work closely together to ensure we can meet the challenges and opportunities that come our way."
Addressing attendees from across the industry at the event, HDC Director Dr Bill Parker also outlined the ways in which the HDC aims to shape its approach and structure to better serve levy payers, HDC associates and the wider horticulture industry.
HDC Director Dr Bill Parker said, "As pressure increases on the governments research spend, the need for greater co-ordination and collaboration is essential. There are many central key issues facing the industry based around broad areas such as water, soil, waste, energy and labour, while sustainability will become increasingly important.
"Horticulture and the HDC is in the vanguard of this change and, as such, new forward-thinking is required. Everything we do as an organisation has to deliver for levy-payers and we are very clear about that. Our focus is on making HDC fit for the future, so that levy payers get the maximum benefit from their levy invested."
Click here to read Impact on horticulture through collaboration.