Agriculture Minister Todd McClay said this was the third research call in the three-year joint research initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
"Together we can make a step-change in research efforts to help drive down agricultural emissions, grow the value of our primary products, and tackle common challenges facing our agri-food sectors.
"Agriculture is at the heart of both the Ireland and New Zealand economies, which makes us natural partners."
The 2024 research call aims to investigate and accelerate research in the areas of:
- National inventory refinement and improvement.
- Technologies for the mitigation of greenhouses gas emissions.
- Data and digitalisation in support of climate actions in Ireland and New Zealand.
Ireland Minister of State with special responsibility for research at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon T.D. said since the research call began in 2022, more than €14million (more than $NZ25million) had been awarded to eight projects by the department and ministry.
"Now in its third year, the continued development of this pilot initiative is testament to the constructive approach between our two countries to invest and collaborate in research that advances solutions for mitigating agriculture’s impact on the climate.
"The commitment of €3million towards this call, is evidence of Ireland’s unwavering support for critical research and capacity building in areas that underpin the sustainability and competitiveness of agriculture now and in the future."
Mr McClay said New Zealand was proud to work with Ireland to deliver this important initiative by helping to build research capacity and capability, and boost sustainability.
"New Zealand is committed to researching solutions to help reduce climate impacts from agriculture, as shown by our support of this important Joint Research Initiative pilot.
"I encourage researchers in Ireland and New Zealand to get behind this third call for the joint research initiative by submitting their applications."
Applications close at 5pm on June 6.
