Thomas Lyons 
The Irish government’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has announced that it will increase its investment in climate-related research and innovation to over €25 million by 2025. The Minister of State, Martin Heydon, who is responsible for research and innovation at DAFM, made the announcement at the Agricultural Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM4C) Summit in Washington DC. Heydon stated that the Irish government’s plan is to increase funding by just under €9.5 million compared to 2020. The aim is to provide more science, research, and innovation in food production systems to ensure sustainable food production. The investment will bring the total investment in climate-related research to over €25 million by 2025.
Heydon stated that the investment is yielding tangible tools for farmers and the agri-food sector to reduce emissions. He cited a recent breakthrough in how to select and breed lower methane-emitting cattle through a €3 million department-funded project called GreenBreed. The project is an excellent example of how science, research, and innovation can help reduce emissions in the agri-food sector.
The AIM4C is a joint initiative by the United States and the United Arab Emirates. The initiative aims to bring governments and organizations together to increase and accelerate investment and support for agriculture and food systems innovation for climate action. It is currently supported by 275 governmental and non-governmental partners. At the summit, Heydon announced that Ireland intends to join a global initiative to accelerate the development of methane-mitigating technologies for livestock systems. The initiative is known as the Enteric Fermentation R+D Accelerator. The focus areas of the initiative, which include feed additives and genetic tools to reduce methane emissions, align closely with Ireland’s existing research priorities.
Heydon stated that there are promising technologies in development, and the focus now is to accelerate their deployment across the industry and at the farm level. He believes that the initiative will help Ireland to achieve its climate targets and contribute to global efforts to reduce emissions in the agri-food sector.
The AIM4C summit is a significant event that brings together key players in the agriculture and food systems sector. Heydon shared the stage with former US Vice President Al Gore, Tom Vilsack, US Secretary of Agriculture, and Mariam Almheiri, Minister at the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. The event provides an opportunity for countries to share ideas and best practices and collaborate on initiatives that promote sustainable agriculture and food systems.
Heydon also took the opportunity to announce a new Irish Aid – USAID collaboration to advance sustainable food systems in Malawi. The Irish government, together with USAID, will invest US$75 million (approximately €68 million) in Malawi under an AIM for Climate Innovation Sprint initiative. The investment will help to improve food security, reduce poverty, and promote sustainable agriculture in Malawi.
In conclusion, the Irish government’s decision to increase its investment in climate-related research and innovation is a step in the right direction. The investment will help to reduce emissions in the agri-food sector and promote sustainable agriculture and food systems. The AIM4C summit provides an opportunity for countries to collaborate and share ideas and best practices. The Irish government’s collaboration with USAID to advance sustainable food systems in Malawi is a positive development that will contribute to global efforts to reduce poverty, improve food security, and promote sustainable agriculture.
