Three leading agricultural organizations have joined to create a potato hub in Scotland, which is designed to give those working in the industry access to expert advice, writes The Press and Journal.

The new project is the product of a partnership between Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), the James Hutton Institute and SASA (Science & Advice for Scottish Agriculture). According to Professor Gerry Saddler, chief plant health officer for Scotland and head of SASA it is important for the organizations to work together to identify the key challenges facing potato production and markets in Scotland, as well as its value in driving innovations which meet and solve these challenges. The hub is said to make research more readily available to the potato industry.

“This kind of approach means that research is more easily accessible to the industry. By working with partners with a commercial focus on research innovations, and through linked consultancy services, the entire potato industry can benefit,” noted Professor Fiona Burnett, head of knowledge and innovation at SRUC.