Smarter food production on the agenda as UCD research director addresses Agriculture Committee

Chairman Pat Deering TD will convene the meeting at 3 p.m. in Committee Room 1, Leinster House, to hear evidence from Director of UCD Research Triona McCormack. 

Tuesday’s hearing is the second this month by the Committee into innovative new methods for boosting the productivity and diversity of Ireland’s agricultural output. UCD is a national leader in research on improving the security, nutritional value and sustainability of farming and food production.

“The Committee is keen to identify roles for science and technology to play in making farming and agriculture a dynamic growth story and an increasingly viable career path for young people,” said Deputy Deering.

“One area of interest is the developing field of ‘precision agriculture,’ using GPS and satellite-navigation technology to give farmers a wealth of new information on every aspect of their crop or herd,” he said. “Using data in this way can help improve the timing, scale and accuracy of almost any decision a farmer might make, from crop rotations and fertiliser use to product traceability. These developing high-tech capabilities should advance our ability to produce food in the most environmentally friendly, nutritional manner possible.”

Committee proceedings can be viewed live here