Beotanics, the Irish ag-tech company that specialises in growing alternative crops, has announced a €1m investment in a new research and development (R&D) centre at its headquarters in Stoneyford, Co Kilkenny.

The company, which was founded by Pat Fitzgerald, said the new R&D centre will include a plant science laboratory, a plant quarantine area and a specialised R&D greenhouse. Beotanics specialises in the development of niche food crops such as sweet potato, yacon, oca and wasabi, and is targeting the growing trend for plant-based food and ingredients.

The company sells the intellectual property (IP) for its plant varieties to growers all over the world.

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We want to be the go-to experts for our chosen crops and targeted evolving food ingredients and new variety development with added nutrition and bio actives

On top of this, Beotanics has also started to process these niche crops into powdered ingredients, which it is marketing to companies in the food and beverage industry, the ingredients sector and the life science industry.

“We want to be the go-to experts for our chosen crops and targeted evolving food ingredients and new variety development with added nutrition and bio actives. The future of food is readjusting to become more plant-based,” said Beotanics managing director Pat Fitzgerald.

Speaking at the announcement in Kilkenny on Wednesday, European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan said the R&D work ongoing at Beotanics showcased Ireland as a leader in new crop development.

“Beotanics is now a key Irish player on the international stage in discovering new ways to feed the planet, improve human health, balance resources, enhance biodiversity and reduce the environmental impact of crop production. It is a true example of a firm which is acting local and thinking global and by doing so providing locally innovative, viable and sustainable Rural Development alternatives,” said Commissioner Hogan.