by business editor Trevor Sturgess

A leading fruit research organisation, which today launches a five-year plan to keep Kent at the forefront of innovation in horticulture, has urged Whitehall and industry to help fund vital programmes.

At today’s Fruit Focus show, East Malling Research (EMR), one of the UK’s leading fruit science institutions, presented a blueprint for cutting-edge research.

It is designed to enhance the Garden of England’s already impressive reputation for fruit research and could create more than a dozen jobs - doubling EMR’s research workforce to 25 by 2017.

It is looking for support from food and agriculture minister Jim Paice, who is attending the annual fruit showcase.

The plan offers three programmes with dedicated scientific teams to help growers improve productivity and food security.

The boffins will focus on strawberries, using EMR’s knowledge to promote a better understanding of perennial production and more efficient breeding; examine the interaction between crops and pests; promote fertility; and boost food chain performance, storage, shelf life and quality.

Chief executive Professor Peter Gregory said: “EMR is committed to driving innovation in the industry and helping growers to compete internationally, and reduce imports. We believe the time is right to expand the intellectual capacity and research capabilities of EMR.”

With the help of East Malling Trust, he said the research arm was better placed to deliver what the Government and nation wanted.

But he warned that without government and industry support, “there is a concern that this may not be sustainable, and it is imperative that we win ongoing and future national funding bids.”

Trust chairman Will Sibley added: “Scientific research, and its application, underpins the UK’s ability to tackle the challenges it faces in adapting to climate change.

"It is also fundamental to ensuring the horticulture industry can grow more with less resources, such as water, pesticides and other inputs.

"For research institutions, such as EMR, to fulfil their full potential, it is imperative that there is a national framework for funding applied and strategic horticultural research.”