New High-Tech Soil Science Laboratory Set to Revolutionize Agriculture in Cornwall

Cornwall is poised to become a hub of agricultural innovation with the establishment of a new high-tech laboratory at the Eden Project. The Centre for Excellence in Land-Based Research and Knowledge Transfer, a collaborative effort between The Cornwall College Group (TCCG) and the Eden Project, has secured a significant investment of £574,820 from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth programme.

This state-of-the-art facility, to be located within Eden’s geothermally-heated Growing Point nursery, is equipped to perform advanced analysis of soils, plants, and feedstock. It aims to usher in a new era of sustainable and productive land management, aiding farmers, growers, and horticulturalists across Cornwall.

The investment, managed by Cornwall Council and funded through the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, arrives at a critical juncture for the agricultural industry. As government direct support payments are phased out, the industry is shifting towards environmental land management and sustainable farming incentives.

Agriculture is a cornerstone of Cornwall’s economy and environment, with the agri-food sector accounting for a significant portion of the Gross Value Added (GVA) and employment in the region. The Centre for Excellence is designed to bolster this vital sector, equipping rural businesses with the knowledge and skills for sustainable natural resource management, and positively impacting Cornwall’s environment and economy. It will offer guidance on various critical issues, including soil health, carbon sequestration, water retention, and biodiversity.

John Evans, Principal and CEO of The Cornwall College Group, emphasised the Centre’s role in fostering collaboration and innovation in Cornwall’s land-based industries, enhancing environmental sustainability and sector resilience.

Dan Ryan, Head of Higher Education at the Eden Project, highlighted the Centre’s potential to revolutionise regenerative agricultural practices in the region, contributing to a greener and more prosperous future.

The funding from the Good Growth Programme, part of the £132 million allocated from the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, underlines Cornwall Council’s commitment to environmentally focused economic development. Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for the economy, remarked on the project’s alignment with the council’s ambitions for clean, circular economic development and natural capital enhancement.

This new Centre for Excellence represents a significant step towards a sustainable agricultural future, not just for Cornwall but as a model for other regions. For more information about the Shared Prosperity Fund and its projects in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, interested parties are encouraged to visit the Good Growth website.