Defra-funded pulse project launch in UK

A government-funded project aimed at helping farmers reduce emissions has been launched by Innovate UK. ‘Nitrogen Efficient Plants for Climate Smart Arable Cropping Systems’ (NCS) is a four-year research project involving 200 UK farms and 17 industry partners which is looking to bring a reduction of 1.5Mt CO₂e per annum. The £5.9m project is one of a number of projects receiving a share of £30m of government funding. The main aims of the project are to increase pulse cropping in arable rotations to 20% across the UK (increasing from the current 5%) and also to develop and test new feed rations. In addition the project aims to substitute up to 50% of imported soya meal used in feed with more climate friendly home-grown pulses and legumes. These aims will be driven by farmers through a series of paid-for on-farm trials. PGRO Chief Executive, Roger Vickers, said: “Everyone knows that pulses and legumes have considerable benefits for UK farming systems. But these have never been truly ...