INTRODUCING THE
HORTICULTURE
INNOVATION
PARTNERSHIP
WHAT IS THE HIP?
A growing partnership between growers, suppliers, processors,
packers, retailers, policymakers, research funders and providers.
We are working together to develop a vision for business innovation
to create a resilient Industry, able to take advantage of expanding
opportunities in a global marketplace.
THE CHALLENGES
To expand UK and overseas markets and drive profitability along the
supply chain, the Industry needs continual innovation underpinned by
R&D, and effective knowledge exchange, to rebuild the confidence
to invest in new production facilities and systems.
The Fresh Produce and
Ornamentals Sector makes
a vital contribution to the
nation’s economy, jobs, food
security, nutrition, health
and well-being; accounting
for £3.4 billion of farm gate
sales and employing over
100,000 workers. Occupying
5% of the (non-grass) cropped
land area, it produces 40%
of total farm gate sales.
Source: Defra (2011) and AHDB MI (2011).
WHAT IS THE HIP DOING?
•We have explored the funding available to deliver innovation to the
Fresh Produce and Ornamentals supply chain and we are working with
the people who can promote the uptake of practical applications that
have real business benefit.
•We are brokering conversations between the industry, researchers and
funders. This will translate into more meaningful and targeted research
programmes that can be applied on-farm to maximise yields, cut
costs, reduce inputs, meet environmental challenges and improve the
customer offer.
•We are promoting opportunities to engage with funding programmes
and have successfully encouraged the Industry to participate in the
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Innovation Platform (SAF-IP) call focussed
on ‘Engineering Solutions for the Agrifood Industry.’
•The HIP is the coordinator for the BBSRC Horticulture and Potatoes Initiative
(HAPI). Under this initiative the HIP is steering researchers to focus on the
Industry’s challenges to deliver benefits for business and society.
•We are working with partners to develop an Innovation Centre bid
under the Agri-Tech Strategy fund, on behalf of the Fresh Produce and
Ornamentals supply chain.
To become part of the HIP or find out more visit www.hip.org.uk or sign-up at info@hip.org.uk