VistaMilk SFI Research Centre Secures Multi-Million Euro Funding to Revolutionize Dairy Production and Processing
Source: The DairyNews
Four Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) research centres are set to receive a combined €104 million investment boost, with a significant portion allocated to enhancing dairy production and processing.
The VistaMilk Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre, renowned for its expertise in "developing and deploying digital technology" to enhance dairy production and processing, has been earmarked for a substantial funding injection.
Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, emphasized that this investment will, over the next six years, enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of dairy production and processing in Ireland. "This progress will secure a sustainable food system that delivers safe and nutritious dairy products, positively impacts the environment, and safeguards viable livelihoods for primary producers and rural communities," stated Minister McConalogue.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has committed over €8.7 million in co-funding to the SFI Research Centre programme.
Advancing Dairy Research
The VistaMilk SFI Research Centre, based at Teagasc Moorepark in Fermoy, aims to "develop new and advance existing electronic monitoring and actuation technologies" to transform Ireland’s dairy sector into a global leader in sustainable agri-tech. The centre's objectives also include linking the agri-food industry with 14 research institutes and over 50 industry partners, creating a large-scale innovation ecosystem.
Broadening Science Research
In addition to VistaMilk, three other SFI research centres will benefit from the new funding round: BiOrbic Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre, FutureNeuro SFI Research Centre for Neurological Diseases, and I-Form SFI Research Centre for Advanced Manufacturing. These centres will also receive an additional €21 million in funding from their industry partners.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science, Patrick O’Donovan, highlighted the importance of this investment, which results from "close collaboration between individual researchers, research teams, research institutions, industry, and government departments."
Minister O’Donovan added, "The bioeconomy, agrifood, and manufacturing are critically important to how we function as individuals and how we develop our economy. While significant scientific advances have been made in these areas by Ireland’s research ecosystem, we must remain vigilant in addressing both old and new challenges, turning these opportunities into real-world impacts that people can see and feel."
Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, emphasized that this investment will, over the next six years, enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of dairy production and processing in Ireland. "This progress will secure a sustainable food system that delivers safe and nutritious dairy products, positively impacts the environment, and safeguards viable livelihoods for primary producers and rural communities," stated Minister McConalogue.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has committed over €8.7 million in co-funding to the SFI Research Centre programme.
Advancing Dairy Research
The VistaMilk SFI Research Centre, based at Teagasc Moorepark in Fermoy, aims to "develop new and advance existing electronic monitoring and actuation technologies" to transform Ireland’s dairy sector into a global leader in sustainable agri-tech. The centre's objectives also include linking the agri-food industry with 14 research institutes and over 50 industry partners, creating a large-scale innovation ecosystem.
Broadening Science Research
In addition to VistaMilk, three other SFI research centres will benefit from the new funding round: BiOrbic Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre, FutureNeuro SFI Research Centre for Neurological Diseases, and I-Form SFI Research Centre for Advanced Manufacturing. These centres will also receive an additional €21 million in funding from their industry partners.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science, Patrick O’Donovan, highlighted the importance of this investment, which results from "close collaboration between individual researchers, research teams, research institutions, industry, and government departments."
Minister O’Donovan added, "The bioeconomy, agrifood, and manufacturing are critically important to how we function as individuals and how we develop our economy. While significant scientific advances have been made in these areas by Ireland’s research ecosystem, we must remain vigilant in addressing both old and new challenges, turning these opportunities into real-world impacts that people can see and feel."
