The State of Agricultural Research & Innovation (SARI) provides the clearest picture to date of public funding for UK agricultural research: where investment is going, what farmers and researchers expect from it, and where there are opportunities to increase its impact.
Drawing on analysis of £1.2 billion of funding awarded between 2022 and 2026, alongside the views of more than 600 farmers, researchers and other stakeholders, SARI explores how closely public investment reflects the challenges and priorities facing farming.
The findings show strong foundations, including world-class scientific expertise and a growing focus on farmer-centred innovation. They also point to practical opportunities to strengthen the impact of agricultural research: better coordination, more accessible research programmes, reliable long-term funding, and strategic investment in skills, facilities, farm networks and data.