Lantmännen boosts research foundation funding by SEK 300 million

Lantmännen has significantly increased the capital of its Research Foundation by SEK 300 million. This investment aims to bolster demand-driven research and development within the agricultural and food sectors.

Jan-Erik Hansson, Chairman of Lantmännen's Board and a farmer himself, emphasized the critical role of research and innovation for the industry's survival and competitiveness. "Without research and innovation, the industry cannot survive," Hansson stated.

The foundation was established forty years ago to address a perceived gap in funding and initiative for agricultural research. Its key differentiator is its close connection to farming, ensuring research priorities remain rooted in practical needs. The new capital injection grants the foundation greater flexibility to allocate funds based on project potential and applications, moving away from a system of fixed annual disbursements.

Hansson highlights climate change and sustainability as the primary challenges and opportunities for agriculture, directly linked to productivity. Areas such as AI-driven precision farming for early problem detection and the development of biological crop protection and fertilizers are seen as particularly promising. The foundation also aims to bridge the gap between research outcomes and practical farming.