Who we are?

SEFARI Gateway is Scotland’s Centre of Expertise for Knowledge Exchange and Innovation. We provide bespoke access to the ENRA Portfolio’s research, expertise, and analysis to ensure scientific evidence helps inform the health, wealth and wellbeing of Scotland.

The ENRA Strategic Research Portfolio is funded by the Scottish Government’s Rural Environment Science and Analytical Service and addresses key mid to longer-term challenges for Scotland’s environment, agriculture, land use, food and rural communities. The Scottish Government is committing nearly £250 million over five years (2022-2027) on developing solutions to priority research and policy topics: climate change, land use, biodiversity, the rural economy, animal and plant disease, and water and flooding. There is also new funding for research on air quality, circular economy and land reform.

SEFARI stands for Scottish Environment, Food and Agriculture Research Institutions and is a consortium of six globally renowned research institutes (Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, The James Hutton Institute, Moredun Research Institute, The Rowett Institute, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Scotland’s Rural College) who provide access to a wide network of scientific expertise and infrastructure. Collectively SEFARI, SEFARI Gateway, and in partnership with four other policy-facing Centres of Expertise (CREW, CXC, EPIC and PHC), deliver research and policy advice from the ENRA Strategic Research Portfolio.

How do we contribute to the A3 sector?

We are eager to build upon a previous SEFARI Gateway fellowship on defining the capacity and capability within Scotland’s A3 sector. The project supported Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) as well as that of the Life Sciences Scotland Industry Leadership Group (LSS ILG), in promoting the A3 sector within and external to Scotland. In particular, the fellowship, conducted by Dr Jenna Bowen (SRUC), aimed to increase the understanding of the A3 sector in Scotland, its capacities and capabilities and the national and international opportunities and challenges facing the sector. The project report included an inventory (up to date in 2021) of the breadth of expertise within the sector across academic institutes, companies, innovation centres, networks and consortiums, charities, government and development agencies, and business gateways and venture studios.

Other examples of our projects which have contributed to each of the 3As includes:

A SEFARI Gateway Special Advisory Group (formerly called ‘spark/think tank’) project on identifying research priorities for the use of agritech to improve productivity, efficiency and sustainability in beef and sheep livestock production systems in Scotland. The report highlighted the challenges and research priorities for the sector.

Innovation conducted for animal health and welfare, includes a research project which has looked at tail biting in pigs. The project aimed at developing a machine vision early warning system, using 3D cameras, which can predict the occurrence of the disease outbreak on commercial pig farms and the report offered recommendations for preventative measures. More recently, a SEFARI Gateway Innovative Knowledge Exchange project has developed a farmer-facing, free, online tool which helps with the interpretation of faecal egg count results for roundworms in sheep. While, a current SEFARI research project is investigating what practical on-farm solutions can be developed to achieve improvements in farm animal welfare within environmentally sustainable farming systems in Scotland and in tandem another SEFARI research project is investigating Influencing human behaviour to improve animal welfare.

SEFARI research has also contributed to the aquaculture sector, including a human nutrition study on the risk-benefit analysis of Scottish seaweeds as a sustainable food source. The project has been asking can Scottish seaweeds provide a safe, dietary-relevant source of micronutrients?

More examples of our projects, including others relevant to the A3 sector, can be found in our research repository. We also provide access to an extensive directory of expertise and can support establishing relevant connections.

How can you get in touch?

As part of our continued support of A3 Scotland, we are eager to discuss relevant research, meet partners and build new connections, as well as discuss potential new project ideas! SEFARI Gateway’s Director, Charles Bestwick notes “the AAA sector is a vibrant example of the of the breadth of global innovation in technologies and practice that is being created in Scotland and SEFARI Gateway is committed to supporting work between research industry and policy to strengthen innovation transfer”.

We like to meet people face to face to help with starting conversations, and you may have already met some of us at events this year such as the British Society of Animal Science conference, Arable Scotland, Royal Highland Show and/or GoFalkland. Therefore, and similar to other events, we will have a stand presence throughout the A3 conference, so please come and say hello and meet some of our team.

Equally, you can also email us at info@sefari.scot any time or follow us on X (#LeadingIdeas) and LinkedIn for any updates.

Written by Alöna Roitershtein and Michelle Wilson Chalmers (SEFARI Gateway).

The post SEFARI Gateway are sponsoring A3 Scotland as the work across the Scottish Government’s Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture (ENRA) Strategic Research Portfolio makes a substantial contribution to the A3 sector in Scotland. appeared first on A3 Scotland.

Scotland’s AAA sector is rapidly maturing, transforming and attracting increased investor interest. But with over 200 business, research centres and academic stakeholders across the sector, how do you ensure your company stands out for investment?

In this blog dedicated to the animal health, agritech and aquaculture sectors, Weber Shandwick’s team in Scotland looks at two audience groups – regulatory and consumers – and why investing in your brand is key to successfully engaging with each as a foundation for growth.

With more than 4 billion people voting in elections this year, and some elections already producing unexpected results, understanding the ambitions of regulators and government (at a national, regional and local level) will become increasingly important to companies across the AAA sub-sectors. New and emerging policies can present opportunities or risks to your organisation. While aiming to improve standards and protect consumers and business alike, done poorly, these changes can have unintended consequences which hamper genuine economic and sustainable growth. To thrive, the animal health, agritech and aquaculture sectors need a favourable and supportive investment and regulatory environment.

The importance of brand value signalling

As governments change and get started on implementing new policy, engagement from industry and other stakeholders is crucial in the development of better legislation. Industries which face higher levels of mistrust or are deemed to be operating irresponsibly are much more likely to see increased intervention and over-regulation. Establishing your presence with a strong brand narrative, building trust and demonstrating your commitment and investment is a crucial step in ensuring regulators and political stakeholders gain a greater understanding of your positive impact and can better advocate for a more supportive business environment.

To build this trust, it is important to become a familiar organisation to your key stakeholders. From inviting stakeholders to site visits, providing them with industry insights and new reports, co-operation and collaboration is key. Political stakeholders are working through streams of requests daily. These competing demands mean it’s even more important for industries, especially ones as complex and nuanced as aquaculture or animal health, to cut through in a way that resonates with stakeholders and helps them easily understand your challenges, your asks, and why they matter.

So, with elections in the UK and across the globe bringing in a raft of new decision -makers, mapping the stakeholders that are most important to the success of your business is critical. Understanding whether your policy issue is a devolved or reserved matter is a crucial first step. Knowing what policy proposals are on the horizon, identifying the right people and engaging with them in the right way is fundamental to enabling your business to thrive.

Finally, in tandem with identifying and engaging with these all-important stakeholders, businesses need to ensure they have a narrative that effectively tells your story, in a way that is compelling, persuasive and aligns with their values and political outlook.

In a year of turbulence and instability, there is a unique window of opportunity for those operating in AAA sectors to inform and help influence the policies that will shape the industry for the next decade. Only by working closely with policymakers and political stakeholders can businesses fully realise the potential of this rapidly evolving and innovative sector.

Case study: Our Scottish whisky client has a significant rural presence and significantly contributes in terms of economic value, sustainable industry, tourism and CSR. Weber Shandwick’s support was sought to ensure this value is effectively communicated to stakeholders.

We developed a series of briefing papers and an engagement plan focused on communicating the company’s areas of strategic focus and facilitated meetings with political and local stakeholders to draw attention to the company’s investment, expansion, and contribution. The result was positive stakeholder support, parliamentary recognition and strong working relationships with key decision makers. Thanks to this, the company has been well-placed to communicate their challenges and potential policy solutions to senior stakeholders in a positive and collaborative way.

WHY TELLING YOUR BRAND STORY TO CONSUMERS IS A CRUCIAL FOUNDATION FOR GROWTH

By being laser focussed on corporate performance, partnerships and progress, the C-suite can unwittingly find themselves further and further away from the sharp end of business. Understandably so – it can be easy to overlook the importance of consumers when your primary customer is a retailer, manufacturer or other offtaker. However, with so much competition in the market, the quality of the product itself is not the only reason to buy a product; the brand story is of equal – if not greater – importance.

For example, taken side by side, two slices of salmon may look the same. They may taste the same and even cost the same. Deciding which salmon to buy in this circumstance goes beyond flipping a coin. For most of us, it’s about how buying salmon A makes us feel as opposed to salmon B.

Studies estimate that as much as 95% of our purchasing decisions are subconscious, and while there are varying schools of thought about this – particularly during times of economic stress – it speaks to a broader truth, that people are emotional creatures, and we buy what makes us feel good.

And so, faced with two seemingly identical products, the one presented by a brand that we have positive associations with is most likely to end up in the basket. Retailers and offtakers understand that – and when assessing which products to buy, they look for products that tell a story capable of aligning with consumer attitudes and trends.

And there are many stories to tell. For example, provenance is an enormously helpful source of trust, but what do you bring to the table beyond that? Are you an organic producer? Perhaps you have a unique employment structure, or contribute some of your income towards a relevant cause?

These details might seem trivial at first glance. But taken together, they demonstrate the value and impact your products can have and create a narrative that consumers can relate to and believe in. And with 68% of consumers saying that brand stories influence their purchasing decisions, it is anything but trivial.

Of course, there are other considerations. How do I know my brand is right for my product? How should I evolve it to change with my business? What should I do if the brand I have now is not right for the direction I want to go in? These are questions we all face as we grow our businesses.

In this digital age, where consumers are continually bombarded with information, all businesses must continually evolve and refine their narrative to maintain relevance and engagement with their audience. Continue to reflect on whether your brand is doing its job – so you can get on with doing yours.

Case study: Fresh salmon is a regular basket item for the UK’s older shoppers, but younger shoppers don’t regularly buy or cook it. In addition, competition has pushed the price of salmon down significantly over recent years. Fish farmers are therefore faced with a product that is getting cheaper and an ageing customer base. When our client briefed us to launch a new premium consumer brand of chef’s cut fresh salmon to reinvigorate the category and win new young consumers, we undertook research to analyse the target audience and understand what inspires them to buy ingredients.

Tapping into the resulting insights – a trend for wellness and the increasing belief that what you eat can affect your mood – we developed a relatable brand platform that spoke to target audiences’ attitudes and desires on the digital channels they visit for recipe inspiration. Within weeks we reached millions of consumers, gained thousands of positive brand interactions and increased purchase intent for the client’s products.

The post WHY BRAND REPUTATION MATTERS IN THE POLICY ENVIRONMENT appeared first on A3 Scotland.

Discover how the Innovate UK BridgeAI programme is transforming the agrifood industry with AI-driven solutions. Learn about key projects, sector-specific achievements, and future initiatives.

The future of agriculture lies in innovation, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of this transformation. The Innovate UK BridgeAI programme is driving productivity and efficiency across high-growth industries, including agrifood. By addressing challenges and harnessing AI’s potential, the programme aims to empower businesses to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.

The Innovate UK BridgeAI programme

BridgeAI is a strategic initiative designed to support UK businesses in adopting AI technologies. With a £100 million investment, BridgeAI focuses on sectors like agrifood, construction, creative industries, and transport. The programme connects businesses with developers, tools, and training to create impactful AI solutions.

Research shows a £9.2 billion opportunity across these sectors, and BridgeAI is dedicated to unlocking this potential. The programme addresses skills gaps, provides funding, and champions responsible AI innovation to ensure that AI technologies are integrated effectively and ethically.

AI applications in the agrifood sector

Agriculture plays a crucial role in our economy, providing 54% of the UK’s food and ensuring food security. However, the sector faces significant challenges, including labour shortages and the need for sustainable practices. AI-powered tools can help farmers overcome these obstacles and boost productivity. Here are five key AI development opportunities in the agrifood sector:

1. Personalised farm optimiser
   Challenge: Farm yields depend on numerous variables, yet many decisions are based on intuition and past experiences.
   Solution: AI can process vast amounts of data to provide decision-making support, optimising inputs and interventions to increase yields efficiently.
2. Precision pest control
   Challenge: Farmers often use pesticides indiscriminately, leading to excessive use and environmental damage.
   Solution: AI systems can identify and target pest infestations precisely, reducing pesticide use and costs.
3. Live farm monitoring
   Challenge: Continuous monitoring of crops and livestock is time-consuming and often imprecise.
   Solution: AI-powered monitoring systems detect changes and flag issues in real time, improving accuracy and saving time.
4. Automated form filler
   Challenge: Farmers spend valuable hours filling out forms for subsidies and compliance.
   Solution: AI can automate data collection and form filling, significantly reducing the administrative burden.
5. Yield predictor
   Challenge: Strategic decisions are often based on short-term market predictions rather than long-term forecasts.
   Solution: AI can predict long-term yield quality and quantity, helping farmers make informed decisions.

Funded projects in agrifood

Innovate UK has funded over 150 projects through BridgeAI, many of which focus on agrifood. Here are some notable examples:

• FloraFold: AI for crop disease resistance
  Combining AI, computational biology, and empirical validation, this project enhances plant-parasite interaction analysis, promoting sustainable agriculture.
• Intelligent agricultural predictive maintenance system
  This project uses AI and IoT to optimise processes and reduce emissions, improving productivity through predictive maintenance.
• ClimaHarvest: Intelligent climate control for indoor farming
  A self-learning climate control system that manages HVAC in vertical farming, reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
• AIquaBoost: AI-driven aquaculture
  This project integrates AI and IoT to reduce egg mortality rates in fish farming, enhancing profitability and sustainability.
• FlockFinder: Generative AI for livestock health
  Using AI to diagnose livestock diseases from observed symptoms, improving animal welfare and farm performance.

AI is transforming the agrifood sector, offering innovative solutions to long-standing challenges. The Innovate UK BridgeAI programme is at the forefront of this revolution, empowering businesses to adopt AI responsibly and effectively.

By connecting developers and adopters, providing crucial support, and championing ethical AI innovation, BridgeAI is paving the way for a more productive and sustainable future.

Are you ready to harness the power of AI in your agricultural business?

Explore the Innovate UK BridgeAI programme and discover how AI can drive productivity and sustainability in the agrifood sector.

Download the BridgeAI Annual Report and join us at the A3 event to learn more about the transformative potential of AI.

The post Transforming agriculture with AI: insights from the Innovate UK BridgeAI programme appeared first on A3 Scotland.

Interested participants are invited to sign up for the event which will see leaders from across the three sectors gathering at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness on the 18th and 19th of September 2024.

With around 200 global businesses, investors, entrepreneurs, academics and policy makers attending the event will create a unique opportunity for networking, to foster strategic partnerships, and explore collaboration and knowledge exchange opportunities arising from new digital technologies.
Last held in Edinburgh, A3 Scotland 2024 is hosted by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).

Entitled ‘Transition to Digital – Fit for the Future’, key speakers at the conference include Richard Lochhead, Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Tourism and Trade, Dennis Overton, Chair of West Highland based natural capital business Ardtornish and Sheila Voas, Chief Veterinary Officer of Scotland. Other speakers include Phil Bicknell, CEO at the UK Agri-tech Centre and Julie Fitzpatrick, Chief Scientific Advisor at the Scottish Government.

Topics at the gathering will range from AI, robotics and sensors to finance and funding opportunities available both in Scotland and overseas, focusing on global trends, challenges to adoption and regulatory issues.

Looking ahead to the conference, Stuart Black, Chief Executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise shared:

“We look forward to welcoming a local and international audience to Inverness to discuss how digital solutions can ensure the future growth and success of aquaculture, animal health and agriculture sectors. The A3 conference has been designed as a meeting place for businesses, investors, scientists and government officials to collaborate and share solutions and ideas.

“We are delighted to host this event in partnership with SRUC with whom we signed a collaboration agreement in March 2024. Working together enables us to bring our best thinking to bear and to achieve superior outcomes for the A3 sectors.

“I look forward to speaking to innovators, entrepreneurs and forward-thinking individuals at the conference.”

Professor Wayne Powell, Principal and Chief Executive of SRUC, said:

“The digitalisation of the aquaculture, animal health and agricultural industries has never been so important as challenges such as food security and climate change test the sectors and society. SRUC is delighted to be co-hosting this event with our partners Highlands and Islands Enterprise to encourage collaboration and knowledge exchange to grow and future proof businesses in the blue and green economies.

“We look forward to welcoming delegates and speakers from across the globe to Inverness. It’s fitting that they’ll also be given the opportunity to visit SRUC’s new Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre (RAVIC), which is forging new links between research and businesses developing products for the health, agriculture and aquaculture sectors.”

For further information about the A3 event and to register go to a3scotland.com or contact events@speak.co.uk.

MORE DETAILS

INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION

An international dimension will be provided at the conference with overviews of developments in LATAM, Africa, and Asia, featuring Federico Perez Wodtke, Regional Sector Lead in Agri-Tech at the British Embassy in Buenos Aires, Geoff Simm, Director of the Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems at the University of Edinburgh, and Anton Immink, CEO of global aquaculture development NGO ThinkAqua.

START UP SESSIONS

A start up and SME pitching session will also showcase some of the most innovative pioneers, ranging from new animal health and infection control systems to insect breeding and genetics, from livestock and data management to subsea production solutions and ultra-reliable communication infrastructure systems.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

The event also represents a not-to-be-missed opportunity for new enterprises to attract funding with a range of investors in attendance including Patricia Barclay from the Funding Partnership, Paul Atkinson from Par Equity, Nicola McMillan from the High Growth Spin Out Programme at Scottish Enterprise, Gillian Galloway, Head of Innovation at HIE, Alex Lusty, Head of Operations & Compliance at angel investment syndicate Equity Gap and Howard Tang, CEO of Peritus Capital. There will also be the opportunity to meet with some of our funders and investors during 15 minute clinics.

International funding opportunities are represented by Helen Sweeney, the UK National Contact Point at Innovate UK and Kathryn Miller, Senior Innovation Programme Manager at EIT Food at EIT Food – the event’s Gold Sponsor.

EIT Foods is the world’s largest and most dynamic agri-food innovation community which invests in projects, organisations and individuals to build a future-fit agri-food system that can produce healthy and sustainable food for all. Other sponsors include UK Agri-Tech Centre, Scottish Environment, Food and Agriculture Research Institutions (SEFARI), Innovate UK BridgeAI and Scottish Enterprise.

FRINGE EVENTS

In addition to the main programme, delegates will be able to take part in a series of free fringe events taking place in and around Inverness Campus on the 17th of September. These will include tours of the Campus and the Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre (RAVIC) as well as bite-size fringe events. The day will culminate in a Civic Reception Buffet held at Inverness Town House to welcome attendees to the conference ahead of its start. Friday 20th September will see the final day of the event programme offer a trip to a MOWI facility for young salmon to learn about its world-leading approach to sustainable aquaculture, and Corrimony Farm to discover the exciting new technologies being employed across virtual fencing, electronic tagging and renewable energy.

BACKGROUND

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) is a public land based research institution focused on agriculture and life sciences, formed in 2012 on the merger Scottish Agricultural College, Barony College, Elmwood College and Oatridge College. SRUC has six campuses in Aberdeen, Ayr, Barony, Elmwood, King’s Buildings and Oatridge, offering courses relating to land and natural resources, from further education to postgraduate level. The Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre (RAVIC) is SRUC’s new £12.5m facility developing new links between science and industry to help address planetary health challenges and grow the natural economy. More information here: https://www.sruc.ac.uk

Highlands and Islands Enterprise is the Scottish Government’s economic and community development agency for a region covering more than half of Scotland, including more than 90 inhabited islands. The organisation works with communities, enterprises, and stakeholders to unlock the region’s potential for growth and progress, while driving fair work and net zero practices. HIE’s purpose is to build and sustain a greener, fairer and more resilient region that benefits everyone. It offers support and investment to a wide range of projects that deliver on its priorities, which include a growing workforce, increased productivity, innovation and wages, and a just transition to net zero. For more information, visit http://www.hie.co.uk

Inverness Campus is a 215-acre site developed by HIE as a world-class business location to encourage research and development in the field of life sciences. Providing the perfect place to collaborate and innovate, it brings together businesses, researchers, academia and scientists. In addition to many commercial enterprises, the Campus is home to Inverness College, Scotland’s Rural College and the University of the Highlands and Islands. The site is designated as an enterprise area by the Scottish Government and part of it also lies within the boundary of the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport. More information here: https://www.invernesscampus.co.uk

The post Digital Transition Tops the Bill at A3 Scotland 2024 appeared first on A3 Scotland.