Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan has announced funding of €55 million for three food research programmes.
Speaking at the opening of the new Teagasc Plant Biosciences facility in Co Carlow today, the Minister said announced an award of €30m for the FIRM Food Research Programme, €18m for the Stimulus Production Research Programme and €7m in the COFORD Research Programme.
Ms Coughlan said full details would be announced shortly.
The Minister said the agriculture sector faces many challenges and is in a period of unprecedented change.
"If we want to be successful in the years ahead, investment in research is not optional, it is a necessity. This was spelt out very clearly in our Agri-Vision 2015 Action Plan, and we are proceeding fast with delivery. The priority is to ensure that the industry will operate to the highest standards, built on a strong foundation of modern scientific knowledge, skills and innovative practices so that it remains competitive in the global marketplace," she said.