1. Geoff McBride STFC GFS & Agri-tech Theme Leader
STFC GFS and Agri-tech
Geoff McBride
STFC GFS & Agri-tech Theme Leader

2. The UK’s main public funders of food-related research are working together through the Global Food Security programme to meet the challenge of providing the world’s growing population with a sustainable, secure supply of nutritious food from less land and using fewer inputs.

3. STFC
GFS and Agri-Tech
How does this theme overlay to STFC Capability Areas?
HPC
Materials
Technology
Remote Sensing
STFC Food Network+
Food Innovation Network
GFS Cross Council Programme
Newton Fund
LEPs
SIN
Agri Centres
Catapults
Others…….

4. How does this theme overlay to STFC Capability Areas?
GFS and Agri-Tech
How does this theme overlay to STFC Capability Areas?
HPC
Internet of things
Big data
Software Technologies
ICT
Materials
Biotech
Technology
Robotics and automation
UAV
Sensors
Remote Sensing
UAV
Sensors
Satellite Applications
International collaborations in these areas are ongoing more are welcome

5. STFC Food Network+
STFC identified potential for its science and technology to make key contributions to the Global Food Security Programme. To realise and deploy this potential the STFC will be launching the STFC Food Security Network+ in the New Year, The aims of the Network+ are to:
develop a multi-disciplinary community focused on using STFC science, technology, facilities and laboratories to address the challenges of food security in the UK;
scope opportunities for STFC science, technology, facilities and laboratories to contribute to solving food security challenges in developing countries;
ensure that this community is networked with other activities (e.g. the Global Food Security Programme, Food Innovation Network, relevant activities funded through the Global Challenge Research Fund, ESRC Nexus Network, Agri-Tech Catalyst, Satellite Applications Catapult, Newton Agri-Tech in China, RCUK Resilience Programme and others e.g. Turkey);
deliver scoping and proof of concept studies to test and de-risk ideas.

6. STFC Food Network+ Management and support recruitment staff is ongoing
First Co-I meeting Feb 17
Programme Launch Spring 2017
Contact: Professor Sarah Bridle
Principal Investigator
Professor Sarah Bridle
The University of Manchester
Physics and Astronomy
Co-Investigator
Professor Katherine Denby
University of York
Biology
Professor Mark Reed
Newcastle University
Agriculture Food and Rural Development
Professor Siau Ching Lenny Koh
University of Sheffield
Management School
Dr Kieran Flanagan
Professor Bruce Grieve
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Professor Jason Halford
University of Liverpool
Psychology

7. STFC Food Network+ Regarding Wheat
"I am particularly interested tying together satellite imaging with ground truth data taken in the field to quantify biotic and abiotic stress to improve crop yield. So far I have been analysing satellite images of wheat fields to identify indicators of weed contamination by blackgrass, with the aim of informing future cropping. This type of imaging data has many similarities to astronomy data and one of my aims with the STFC Food Network+ is to bring these skills together with partners including Turkey, especially where there is a well defined agrifood challenge and good ground truth information.“
Professor Sarah Bridle
Principal Investigator STFC Food Network+
The University of Manchester

8. Questions Geoffrey McBride BSc [Hons] STFC Futures Programme
STFC Futures Programme
Science & Technology Facilities Council
Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Harwell Science and Innovation Campus
Building R71 Rm 09-12
Didcot
OXON
OX11 0QX
Mobile:
Skype: geoff.mcbride63