The Power of 8 - Knowledge, Innovation and Growth for the North

Changes in the global climate mean that we

have to continuously adapt and evolve the

crops and plants that we grow to feed the

population. Researchers at the Universities

of Leeds, Sheffield and York are working on

developing more resilient strains of crops that

are grown in the UK and around the world.

At the University of Leeds’ dedicated research farm, the

academic scientists are working to understand how different

combinations of crop varieties, cultivation practices, and ways of

encouraging biodiversity, can increase the crops’ ability to grow

despite potential waterlogging, disease, or droughts.

Through collaboration with partners in China researchers

are also developing new nano-sensors to report on the

experiments as well as better methods for easily sharing

data across continents.

In addition to delivering more resilient crops, the research will

provide insights into better approaches to land management.

This work is already influencing the development of new

policies for sustainable agriculture, nationally and globally.

Crop growth –

whatever the weather

Case Study: AgriFood Resilience

In addition to delivering more resilient crops, the research will

provide insights into better approaches to land management