Senior leaders from Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and Teagasc have been discussing future collaboration opportunities for the two organisations, which both play a vital role in providing integrated research, advisory and training services to the land-based sector.

Representatives from Teagasc - Ireland’s Agriculture and Food Development Authority – visited SRUC in Edinburgh to discuss Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS), where knowledge generated through research can be focused and applied through a regional advisory service.

The Scottish Government is currently carrying out a consultation into Scotland’s AKIS with a view to implementing changes to the Agriculture Support Package beyond 2027.

The meeting also covered opportunities to collaborate on work in Europe including with Horizon Europe and the European Alliance for the Natural Economy.

In addition, the group visited SRUC’s Easter Howgate Farm to see the GreenCow facility, which is used to measure gas emissions from cattle and sheep, and the new GreenShed building which will power a methane capturing system and grow indoor crops.

Professor Wayne Powell, Principal and Chief Executive of SRUC, said: “Both Teagasc and SRUC have a research focus which reflects the importance of systems and supply chains and the links between a healthy planet, healthy agriculture and healthy food, and therefore we have a great deal to learn from each other.”

Professor Frank O Mara, Director of Teagasc said; “The agriculture and food industry is very important for both countries, and we can learn a lot from constructively co-operating and working together, on issues of common interest to Teagasc and SRUC.”