This funding allows us, working with our partners, to undertake inspiring, high-quality research to change the world and improve people's lives. The work will include analysing plant growth in different conditions in a new Plant Ecology Lab plus a Food Innovation Lab for research on processing of food products, such as fortified food and innovations to extend shelf life.
There will be a particular focus on global challenges including climate change, conflict, and pests and diseases, which increasingly affect food security. You can find out more about the FaNSI programmes on the NRI website. And as a direct result of this funding the NRI will recruit 20 new staff and fund 15 more PhD students.
Interim Provost and Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Javier Bonet said:
This is fantastic news and will enable NRI to build upon its award-winning research which has already helped to improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
What is food and nutrition security?
'Food and nutrition security' is about ensuring that people have enough safe and nutritious food. Today, approximately 800 million people worldwide are food insecure, and the food systems responsible for feeding a growing population are increasingly affected by a range of factors including climate change, conflict, and pests and diseases. New knowledge is required to ensure nutritious food for everyone whilst adapting to these and other global challenges.
Photo credit: J de Bruyn
