Farmers in Northern Ireland with an interest in how agricultural research can help the sector are being encouraged to join a new forum.

The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) is seeking expressions of interest from farmers to become members of a newly established AFBI Farmers’ Forum.

The objective of the new forum is to forge links between scientists and farmers.

According to AFBI, they are seeking farmers who can "work openly and collaboratively" and who can "represent the wider interests and perspectives of the farming sector".

The forum, which is expected to meet four times a year, aims to give farmers from across Northern Ireland the opportunity to share their practical insights, knowledge and experience, while also building on the understanding of AFBI’s science.

The initiative will also help AFBI’s understanding of key farming priorities and strengthen links between science, innovation and practical farming.

Farmers' forum

AFBI is welcoming expressions of interest in the forum from farmers across different sectors and locations.

Applications must be received by AFBI by midday this Friday (October 30).

Professor Elizabeth Magowan, director of AFBI’s Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, said: "This is a unique opportunity for constructive two-way engagement between AFBI and the farming community".

"AFBI’s work is extensive and spans all aspects of the farming system - from soil to grassland and animal research as well as slurry, fertilizer and wider land use sciences.

"I would encourage farmers from across all sectors to apply. AFBI looks forward to working with the farming community on this exciting new initiative," she added.