A NEW farming project has been launched at Aberystwyth University.

The deputy minister for farming and food, Rebecca Evans attended the National Plant Phenomics Centre at Aberystwyth University to officially launch the European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability within Wales.

EIP Wales, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and Welsh Government, will be supported by the Farming Connect Knowledge Exchange Hub, which is hosted by IBERS.

Prof Mike Gooding, director of IBERS said it was an exciting new knowledge transfer initiative which will assist the Welsh agricultural and forestry industries to modernise by implementing new ideas and technologies.

“We want to hear from farmers and foresters who have an idea for addressing a specific issue or challenge, or a new approach they would like to trial or test,” said Prof Gooding.

Pictured at the launch are Prof Wynne Jones, chairman of the Farming Connect Strategic Advisory Board; Marty Spittle, Advanced Training Partnership, IBERS; Prof Mike Gooding; Rebecca Evans AM; Lynfa Davies, Farming Connect Knowledge Exchange Manager; Prof Jamie Newbold, Director of Advanced Training Partnership, IBERS; and Prof Nigel Scollan, of Waitrose Sustainable Agriculture.