SEFARI – Scottish Environment, Food and Agriculture Research Institutions

SEFARI aims to deliver 'Leading Ideas for Better Lives', reflecting that publicly funded research in Scotland must ultimately deliver positive impact for individuals, whether in Scotland or elsewhere.

As a collective, we collaborate to deliver the Scottish Government funded Strategic Research Portfolio 2022-2027 on agriculture, environment, food, land and rural communities.

Case Studies

Assessing Scotland’s self-sufficiency of major food commodities

Achieving food security has gained prominence in the present policy agenda to increase resilience to adverse events.

  • Food & Drink Innovation
  • Agriculture
  • Healthier Foods
  • Rural Economy

Developing Dialogues on Land Use Decision Making for Natural Capital

Spurred in part by Scottish government policies such as the commitment to reach Net Zero by 2045, there has been an increase in investment in land for natural capital purposes in Scotland.

  • SEFARI Gateway
  • Land and Communities
  • Climate and the Environment

Exploiting plant pathogen biology for future disease control

Agriculture faces many challenges, including a warming climate, more frequent occurrence of extreme climate events and increased incidence and severity of crop diseases.

  • Agriculture
  • Plant and Animal Health
  • Rural Economy

Foodborne toxoplasmosis: a study of retail meat

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that impacts human and animal health worldwide.

  • Healthier Foods
  • Agriculture
  • Plant and Animal Health

Blog

7 Nov 2024

NMEG report: Improving policy and practice for agricultural nutrient use and management

The interaction between nutrient management, food production and sustainability goals are complex, where both research and policy still remain fragmented.

22 Oct 2024

Exploiting beneficial bacterial strains to reduce the incidence of pathogens in animals and to promote One Health

Antimicrobial resistance is an emerging threat to the health of animals and humans in Scotland and around the world. SEFARI scientists at the Rowett Institute have made some early, exciting findings that may prove invaluable in the global battle to hold back the spread of anti-microbial resistance.

News

12 Nov 2024

Sustainable Farm Networks: Demo farm connectivity mission gathers momentum

The Sustainable Farm Networks initiative (SFN), linking diverse demonstration farm networks to meet to work together to improve communication between research, farm practice and food system policy, is gathering momentum.

24 Oct 2024

Ecosystem and Land use Policy Engagement Group (ELPEG)

We are delighted to share with you the latest copy of the ELPEG Bulletin. The bulletins are produced every six months and summarise the biodiversity research that is happening within the Strategic Research Programme. The bulletins aim to provide a policy relevant summary of the research. 

8 Oct 2024

Funding Call: SEFARI Fellowship to Map the Evidence Base on the Costs of Action and Inaction for Land Use in a Changing Climate

SEFARI Gateway is delighted to provide support for a new Fellowship in collaboration with NatureScot. We are seeking an individual researcher or small team of researchers to undertake a first stage mapping of the evidence base for land use change in a changing climate.  

26 Sep 2024

Funding Call: SEFARI Fellowship on scoping a route to a locally driven approach to agriculture research in Orkney

SEFARI Gateway is delighted to be able to offer a Fellowship in collaboration with Highland and Islands Enterprise, UHI Orkney.

29 Aug 2024

SEDA Game Project unveiled at Abertay University, supported by SEFARI Gateway

A video game designed to explain the impact that human activities have on soil health and land use in Scotland was unveiled at Abertay University.

Events

26 Nov 2024

Science and the Parliament 2024

Science and the Parliament is organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry, on behalf of, and in cooperation with, the Scottish science and engineering community. The event is designed to foster close relations with policymakers and key stakeholders.

23 Sep 2024

RESAS Science, Evidence and Policy Conference

Rural and Environmental Science and Analytical Services (RESAS), Scottish Government (SG) is pleased to be hosting a one-day in-person conference that will bring together stakeholders from across the rural and environmental research and policy landscape in Scotland.

18 Sep 2024

A3 Scotland 2024

This not-for-profit conference for the Aquaculture, Agritech and Animal Health (AAA) sectors, brings together industry, investors, scientists and government officials from all over the world.

 

10 Sep 2024

45th TB Macaulay Lecture

Presented in partnership with the Macaulay Development Trust and The James Hutton Institute; the event aims to connect scientific evidence with civic society around critical issues affecting land and people.

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