This programme is funded by the Funding
We have studentships available for MSc Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture starting in 2012. Find out more.
Programme overview
Food security: a global concern
There has never been a more urgent need to train scientists in the area of food security, equipped with skills in agronomy; plant pathology, plant disease and plant genetics; and knowledge of modern agricultural systems and agricultural policy. The Royal Society report Reaping the Benefits: science and the sustainable intensification of global agriculture published in October 2009, provided the clearest evidence of the challenge of ensuring global food security during the next 50 years. Crop yields need to rise significantly, but in a manner that requires much lower dependency on chemical intervention and fertilizers.
Meeting the challenge of sustainable agriculture
This programme was developed in collaboration with the agricultural industry, government agencies including Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (defra) and The Food and Environment Research Agency (fera), and farmers and food manufacturers, to provide a multi-disciplinary training in sustainable agriculture and global food security. Research-led teaching in molecular plant pathology, plant sciences and microbiology is strongly supplemented by BBSRC Rothamsted-North Wyke expertise in grassland management, soil science and sustainable farming systems. Leading social scientists also provide valuable input in rural land use and the rural economy. The combination of expertise in both arable and pastureland systems ensures a truly rounded learning experience.
The curriculum takes account of the key skills shortages in the UK to train highly skilled individuals who can enter government agencies, agriculture and food industries and fulfil very valuable roles in scientific research, advice, evaluation, policy development and implementation tackling the challenges of food security. The programme provides opportunities to gain industrial and practical experiences including field trips.
The vital importance of this scientific training is illustrated in the award of 15 BBSRC Training Grants over a three year period; find out more (opens in a new window).
Reaping the benefits: Science and the sustainable intensification of global agriculture
The Royal Society has published the report of a landmark study examining the contribution of the biological sciences to food crop production. Read the report.
