The Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute (AFBI) is a non-Departmental Public Body in Northern Ireland. It has over 800 staff, with specialists in agriculture, food, environmental, plant and veterinary sciences and economics. It has considerable experience in developing dairy systems to profitably exploit the high grass growing potential of Northern Ireland while minimising environmental impact. It operates a research farm and analytical facility and provides dairy technology for transfer to farms both directly, and via the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE).

Expertise is in the study of nutrient, soil and land-use interactions including measures to lower gaseous losses of nitrogen from grassland and loss to water of nitrogen and phosphorus. Models are available to link land use with eutrophication. Scientists provided specialist advice to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency for the development of the Action Plan and Derogation that ensured compliance with the Nitrates Directive.

ABFI will be involved in all the actions of all WP’s.
In implementing WP2 (Pilot farm Network), AFBI will work in partnership with CAFRE.

CAFRE is responsible for training new entrants into the Agri-Food Industry and knowledge and technology transfer to business owners and employees in Northern Ireland.
The CAFRE Knowledge and Technology Transfer (KTT) Programme aims to assist the development of agriculture, horticulture and food businesses through developing, demonstrating and assisting the adoption of appropriate technology. The main drivers for KTT are economic, environmental (including renewables), market-requirements and health and safety.