The British James Hutton Institute has launched a five-year project focused on tackling economic challenges faced by raspberry growers in the UK.
The "Raspberry Economics in Production" project has received funding of £1 million (about 1.14 million Euros) from Innovate UK, with the aim of enhancing the sustainability of raspberry production in the UK.
Current Challenges
This project addresses challenges such as rising production and labor costs, and fewer options for pest and disease control, which pose significant threats to the industry.
The project will focus on developing raspberry varieties that require less water, fertilizers, and labor to grow.
According to the James Hutton Institute, grower costs have increased by 25% in the past two years, while retailer returns have shown no increase.
The Need for Innovative Solutions
The UK raspberry industry is "at a critical crossroads," according to Dr. Julie Graham, leading the project. She stated that advanced genetic technologies will be used to develop climate-resilient varieties requiring fewer resources.
Importance of Genetic Research
The project aims to secure the future of the raspberry industry while supporting rural economies and the environment, using advanced genetic techniques such as genomics, transcriptomics, and phenomics.
Collaboration and Sustainability
Peter Thomson of Thomas Thomson Blairgowrie emphasized that collaboration with the Institute is crucial for the future of UK raspberry production. The project is also supported by Berryplants, Dole UK, and other partners.
Read full article: Fruitnet
