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At the 2026 George Scott Robertson Memorial Lecture in Riddel Hall recently, Ash Amirahmadi, CEO of Sofina Foods Europe, shared thoughtful perspectives on the future of food and farming, including challenges to established practices and ways of thinking.

The annual event is a significant fixture in the Northern Ireland agricultural industry calendar, bringing together leaders from across the agri‑food supply chain to explore the future of farming, food production and rural sustainability. The lecture honours George Scott Robertson, Queen’s first Professor of Agricultural Chemistry. Robertson later became Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and was instrumental in establishing the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland (ARINI), which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.

It was supported by The Gibson Trust, and hosted in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast, the Agri‑Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), and the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU).

In a thought-provoking address, Mr Amirahmadi described Northern Ireland’s agri‑food sector as a “powerhouse”, emphasising the fundamental importance of food security, economic resilience and sustainable growth. He set out four strategic priorities he believes to be essential to secure the sector’s long‑term success.

 

Strengthening sector identity and attracting talent

He urged the industry to modernise how the food and farming sector communicates its identity and purpose. Highlighting significant labour challenges, he argued that the industry offers meaningful careers that make a tangible difference but must present itself in a way that appeals to new and diverse talent.

 

Reframing the role of farmers

Challenging prevailing narratives, he stressed that “there is no food system without farmers” and that they must be recognised as central to climate and environmental solutions. While technological advances such as AI will enhance productivity and efficiency, he noted that they will not replace the fundamental role of farmers.

 

Balancing production with environmental ambition

Mr Amirahmadi questioned policies that remove land from food production without a clear systems-based approach calling for multifunctional land‑use models that support food production, environmental stewardship and long-term sustainability

 

Driving innovation for sustainable growth

He highlighted innovation as essential to keeping food affordable, accessible and sustainable, stressing the need for a collaborative shift in mindset across the UK food system.

 

In Conclusion

Drawing the lecture to a close, Mr Amirahmadi was upbeat, stating that, in his opinion, the future of food and farming was bright and with a change in mindset, the drive to deliver vital food security presents a huge opportunity for the industry.

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For queries regarding this event please contact Michael Hills (m.hills@qub.ac.uk)