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Zambian farmers benefit from millions in insurance pay-outs thanks to Reading data

Millions of dollars are due to be paid out to small-scale farmers in Zambia affected by a recent severe dry spell, following the introduction of a new government insurance scheme powered by University of Reading science. Satellite-based rainfall estimates for Africa produced by the University’s TAMSAT research group have allowed around US$2.8m to be triggered for farmers […]

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Climate change research centre to protect world’s most vulnerable communities

A new research centre that will support communities threatened by climate change was launched at the University of Reading by former Irish President and UN human rights high commissioner Mary Robinson. The Reading Centre for Climate and Justice is dedicated to putting justice at the heart of understanding the problems caused by climate change, and finding solutions […]

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Scientists react as Government launches Environment plan

The Government has today launched its 25 Year Environment Plan, pledging to improve the natural environment by 2042. Many headlines have been made by the pledge to eradicate avoidable plastic waste, but the plan also considers sustainable land management, nature enhancement and reducing pollution, among other things. Leading environmental scientists at the University of Reading […]

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Scientists join forces with farmers, communities and local authorities in major flood mitigation project

Choosing different crops, building soil organic matter and planting more trees could allow farmers to reduce the risk of nearby rivers from bursting their banks miles downstream, according to an innovative new research project. Researchers in a collaborative project led by the University of Reading will work with farmers, advisors, communities and local authorities across […]

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Global team of researchers crack leaf size mystery

Why is a banana leaf a million times bigger than a common heather leaf? Why are leaves generally much larger in tropical jungles than in temperate forests and deserts? The textbooks say it’s a balance between water availability and overheating. But it’s not that simple. Research published today as a cover story in the journal Science, led […]

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New research tackles global food shortages with new government funding

Helping North Africa become self-sufficient for protein needs, and reusing by-products of cocoa production in South East Asia are just some of the research projects that have received Government funding to tackle global challenges. The work to address food sustainability, being investigated across departments including Food and Nutritional Sciences and Agriculture, Policy and Development at the University of Reading, […]

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New training body to support £20 bn UK food industry

A new industry-level food training body launched today will tackle key questions facing the future of farming and the food business. The AgriFood Training Partnership will combine the complimentary skills and knowledge of six university partners who are internationally recognised leaders in agrifood research and training. The partnership will offer more than 150 courses and workshops in all […]

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Crop Professor joins Board of Directors for global food security organisation

A professor from the University of Reading has joined the board of a global food research and development charity, whose aim is to provide food security for billions of people around the globe. The World Vegetable Center works across Asia and Africa to alleviate poverty and malnutrition in developing countries, and has appointed Professor Richard […]

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Report outlines how climate change will affect gardeners

The ‘perfect’ English garden could become a thing of the past thanks to climate change, scientists at the University of Reading have warned as a new report is published. The far-ranging Gardening in a Changing Climate report, written in part by scientists at the University of Reading, looks at both the current impact of climate change and […]

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Agroforestry could help UK hit carbon emission reduction targets

Researchers exploring how planting trees alongside crops could help put Britain on track to reduce its climate change impact have been awarded a share of £8.6m funding. Agroforestry involves farmers planting rows of trees in crop fields to act as greenhouse gas removers. Co-delivery of food and climate regulation by temperate agroforestry, led by Dr Martin […]

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