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INRA: 60 years of agricultural research

For 60 years now, INRA has been developing research in the areas of agriculture, food and nutrition and the environment, with an eye to social issues and a focus on excellence. The Institute has thus produced knowledge and innovations which initially contributed to the modernisation of French agriculture after the war and then accompanied the expansion of the agri-food industry in the 1960-70's. INRA committed itself to the construction of European research 20 years ago and has since strengthened its international partnerships. Research topics, methods and professions have changed considerably in order to adapt to the complexity of today's research priorities that often require multidisciplinary approaches, adapted to the study of a global production system and worldwide exchanges, with the pooling of research expertise within the framework of partnership structures.

Finalised research excellence

INRA is the number two research organisation in the world today in agricultural sciences, plant sciences and the environment, thanks to its publications. Because of its mission-oriented research programme, the Institute must conjugate scientific excellence with the task of translating the questions raised by its partners (government bodies, farming and food industry and non-profit making organisations) into research projects. Mission-oriented research also implies debate over choices, methods and scientific results, as well as ethical considerations.
On 8th June 2006, INRA presented awards for exceptional creativity and excellence in research.

Developing international partnerships, encouraging global mobility and welcoming researchers from abroad

INRA develops international partnerships with research institutes in more than 30 countries worldwide: European Union countries, the United States, Canada, emerging countries (China, India, Brazil), etc. It takes part in an international project that assesses the contribution of agricultural research (within the framework of an international study supported by the FAO and the World Bank) and in the development of European research strategies: sustainable animal breeding, a global vision of the plant world, etc. The Institute contributes to the construction of infrastructures and networks at the European level and participates in Framework Programmes for Research and Development (FPRD).

INRA encourages global mobility and welcomes researchers from abroad, to fill temporary as well as permanent positions (see "Join Us"). It trains many young foreign researchers, some thanks to EU-supported Marie Curie fellowships. The Institute is committed to ensuring optimal working conditions for scientists and to making research careers in Europe more attractive, in keeping with the European Research Charter.

Six research priorities for 2006-2009

At the end of 2005, INRA announced its research priorities for the next four years

The following are examples of major research projects for each of the six strategic priorities:

A preserved environment, a living rural world
EVOLTREE: shedding light on the evolution of forest biodiversity in response to future climate change
A healthy and well-balanced diet
METAGENOME: exploring the genome of human digestive flora
Competitive and high-quality processed products
The biofuels of tomorrow: banking on filamentous fungi to break down plant matter
A deeper understanding of the living environment
Increasing our knowledge about the grapevine: sequencing the grapevine genome to improve product quality and resistance to disease and extremes of climate
Innovative and sustainable production systems
Green Piggery: developing sustainable pork production
Analysis of public policies and sectors
Organisation of agri-food sectors and characteristics of the food supply.

Written by : Communications Department
Label for the news : Article
Date for the news : 2011.03.08
Date of creation : 18/05/2006
Date of last update : 07/09/2007