Work has begun on infrastructure to support the Ni-Park, a world leading agri-tech research and innovation hub supported by Harper Adams University.
The new hub will be in Newport, and it is hoped the centre will help bring high value jobs to the area.
Dr David Llewellyn, Vice-Chancellor of Harper Adams University, said: “This collaboration will enable industry and academia to find the right solutions to not only develop future food production systems, but also to find ways in which those systems can protect our natural resources, improve biodiversity and help us all in the challenge of tackling climate change.”
Ni-Park is a key element of the Newport Innovation and Enterprise Package (‘NIEP’) which secured £6.36m funding from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership under the Local Growth Fund, matched by investment from Telford & Wrekin Council. The site’s strong links with Harper Adams University will provide opportunities for leading high efficiency agri-tech research and innovation through the University’s partners and students.
“We will be supporting the Local Authority to create an ecosystem for agri-tech innovation at Ni-Park that will build upon ground-breaking research conducted by the University,” continued Dr Llewellyn.
As well as Harper Adams University, the Ni Park development is also supported by Telford & Wrekin Council and the Marchers Local Enterprise Partnership.
Work begins on Agri-Tech hub
By Chloe Ryan
Dr David Llewellyn
Chloe Ryan
Editor of Poultry Business, Chloe has spent the past decade writing about the food industry from farming, through manufacturing, retail and foodservice. When not working, dog walking and reading biographies are her favourite hobbies.