Work has begun on upgrading the horticultural scientific research facilities in East Malling.

The NIAB EMR - formerly known as East Malling Research - had secured funds from the government's Strength in Places fund to enhance its offering through the Growing Kent & Medway initiative.

The project brings together a consortium of businesses and academic institutions across the county, led by the NIAM EMR team, focused on boosting the horticulture, food and drink industries.

It was one of seven schemes nationwide to receive a share of a £186million cash pot announced last June. The Kent project pocketed £18m of the money.

In addition to the cash from Whitehall, work at the site in East Malling is also benefitting from a contribution from the East Malling Trust, which supports NIAB EMR, to build modern research glasshouses and plant-growth facilities.

Professor Mario Caccamo, MD of NIAB EMR, said: “Thanks to the funding, we are now better placed than at any time in the last decade to helping producers rise to the challenge of climate change, reducing import dependency and improving the country’s food security.

“The state-of-the-art plant growth facilities will enable our scientists to accurately manage the cropping environment and test the response of fruit crops and novel technologies to help improve productivity, crop profitability and generate new skilled jobs across the sector."

Thanks to earlier support secured from the Local Growth Fund administered by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP), the team at East Malling is currently delivering the Advanced Horticultural Technology Zone, including new science buildings, state-of-the-art glasshouses, an energy facilities and other related infrastructure.

Dr Oliver Doubleday, chair of the board of the East Malling Trust, said “The delivery of this ambitious project follows our vision to see East Malling to continue to develop as a global innovation centre.

“The modernisation of the site was long overdue and will support the team at NIAB EMR to remain at the cutting edge of technology."

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