Major boost for UK farming through Sainsbury’s and BIS investment in innovation
In line with today’s launch of the Government’s Agriculture-Technologies Strategy, Sainsbury’s announces two new initiatives to help shape innovation in British farming and engage young people in its future.
As the only supermarket to be directly involved in the strategy, Sainsbury’s is proud to announce a first-of-its-kind agricultural graduate scheme along with a commitment to build on funding to encourage Sainsbury’s farmers and growers to adopt existing leading edge technologies and mobilise research into new innovations in farming.
Sainsbury’s is working closely with the Government to make the UK a world leader in agricultural science by inspiring a new generation and helping bridge the gap between technology and farming. Judith Batchelar, Director of Sainsbury’s Brand, is co-chair of the Leadership Group tasked with shaping this strategy.
Sainsbury’s Agricultural and Horticultural Graduate Scheme
The unique scheme, developed in partnership with some of Sainsbury’s leading suppliers, is closely aligned with the Government’s Agri-tech strategy by attracting the brightest young talent into the industry and creating the next generation of leaders to ensure British farming can lead on a global scale.
In September, Sainsbury’s first three agricultural graduate trainees will join the company to begin a two year programme of training, paving the way for an ongoing intake of graduates to join the farming programme each year.
The scheme aims to ensure that Sainsbury’s is attracting the right talent and expertise needed to drive the future of British farming. The scheme also looks to encourage young people into the industry by demonstrating the opportunities that exist and providing a practical and diverse understanding of modern farming. Graduates will each undertake four six-month placements working with leading Sainsbury’s suppliers across the agriculture and horticulture industries.
Investment fund for British farming innovation
In addition to the launch of the Agricultural and Horticultural Graduate Scheme, Sainsbury’s has also pledged a second round of funding to help farmers and growers take advantage of existing technologies and look to new innovations to help drive efficiency and reduce environmental impact in farming.
The investment will build on an initial £1.2 million fund for research and development programmes made by Sainsbury’s in December 2012. The funding was awarded to 14 projects across the UK, which included innovations to extend the British strawberry season and reduce the reliance on natural gas for tomato, cucumber and sweet pepper growers. Through these and other innovations, Sainsbury’s is helping its growers to provide sustainable, healthy food.
The two announcements are evidence of Sainsbury’s 20 by 20 commitments to double the amount of British food sold by 2020 and nurture the business leaders to progress towards this vision.
Judith Batchelar, Director of Sainsbury’s Brand said: “Farming is one of the biggest industries in the UK which is why we think it’s so important to plan for the future now.
This is the reason I’m extremely proud to launch a graduate scheme today that’s dedicated to British agriculture, it also adds to the 80 graduate placements we’ve offered in just the last five years. With the average age of a farmer being over 50 it’s important to attract and train young talent to drive technical development in a sustainable way and build on Sainsbury’s heritage in food technology and product development. The strategy and our scheme bring benefits for the whole supply chain – from farmers through to our customers.”
David Willets, Universities and Science Minister added: “Britain is home to many of the most well-known farming and food brands. But to ensure our agricultural industry remains at the forefront of innovation we need to back new technologies and drive up skills. These initiatives from Sainsbury’s will support these ambitions and complement the agri-tech strategy being launched today.”