Morrisons has partnered with McDonald’s, Harper Adams University and the National Farmers’ Union to launch the UK’s first school of sustainable food and farming.
The collaboration will see courses on regenerative agriculture methods taught to participants in order to transition the nationwide farming system into a sustainable and carbon-neutral practice.
The partnership comes as part of Morrison’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon by 2040, alongside its aim to become the first UK supermarket to be supplied by net zero farms by 2030.
The school is based at Harper Adams university, the “leading specialist institution” in future farming development.
It will provide undergraduate courses to train new farmers, research posts and short courses and apprenticeships offered to upskill the existing agricultural workforce, it revealed.
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The students are set to be taught by the country’s leading experts in veterinary practice, nutrition and agronomy though a mix of virtual and on-farm learning.
Researchers and students will also be actively engaged in government policy, in order to advocate for the sector to receive the required support for its development into a more sustainable system.
“We need to revolutionise our food production and what we’re doing today is unique,” Morrisons head of agriculture Sophie Throup said.
“It’s the first time the NFU, restaurants, supermarkets and universities have come together to act with one voice for the greater good.
“It will play an important part in helping all of Morrisons farmers to get to Net Zero Agriculture by 2030.”
NFU president Minette Batters added: “In Britain farmers have an ambition to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 and the School of Sustainable Food and Farming will help us get there.
“A transformation is needed globally to boost sustainable food production and ensure that we can continue to feed a growing population while doing our bit for the planet.”
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