IRNASA-CSIC promotes international collaboration in the primary sector between Castilla y León and the United Kingdom

DICYT On Wednesday, January 29, 2025, the United Kingdom and Spain held an event to foster agro-technological collaboration at the CSIC Biotechnological Business Incubator and the Junta de Castilla y León, located in the Boecillo Technology Park (Valladolid). The event, titled “Exploring Agro-Tech Opportunities: Networking and Collaboration UK-Spain,” was promoted by the Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Salamanca (IRNASA-CSIC), the British Embassy in Spain, UK Agri-Tech Centre, and ICECYL. It brought together key stakeholders from both countries to drive innovation in the agricultural sector.

The event began with a presentation on the collaboration maintained over the past four years by IRNASA-CSIC, UK Agri-Tech Centre, and the British Embassy. This alliance aims to improve sustainability and efficiency in the agricultural and livestock sectors, emphasizing research and innovation as essential tools for balancing economic profitability with sustainable food supply.

IRNASA-CSIC, a leading research center for the primary sector in Spain, works alongside the UK Agri-Tech Centre, a technology platform funded by the British government that aims to bridge the gap between industry and academia in the agri-food sector. This joint effort enables companies, scientists, and engineers to turn ideas into new products and services.

Participants also had the opportunity to learn about the CSIC and Junta de Castilla y León’s Biotechnological Business Incubator. Representatives from the Institute for Business Competitiveness of Castilla y León (ICECYL) presented the infrastructure’s capabilities and opportunities to create and consolidate innovative companies in the sector.

During the event, several companies and research centers from the United Kingdom shared their experiences and the latest initiatives in agro-technological innovation. Representatives from four companies (Crop Intellect, Antobot, SugarOx Ltd, and Fotenix) and four prestigious institutions (Harper Adams University, NIAB, Rothamsted Research, and The James Hutton Institute) captured the interest of Spanish researchers and entrepreneurs.

The event concluded with pre-scheduled bilateral (B2B) meetings, where attendees explored potential collaborations. A working lunch further strengthened ties and fostered new direct connections.
With this event, IRNASA-CSIC and the Agri-Tech Centre consolidated their collaboration within their strategic partnership programs. This framework seeks to promote talent exchange, knowledge transfer, the training of young researchers, the development of joint projects, and the stimulation of sector companies.

Over the past four years, both entities have identified numerous areas of common interest, such as promoting plant growth, developing new crop varieties and alternatives, pest control, optimizing treatments and fertilizers, soil conservation and health, conducting large-scale animal trials, and applying new technologies to the primary sector.