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INRA, a national institute

INRA, research for the world we live in

© INRA

Ranked the number one agricultural institute in Europe and number two in the world, INRA carries out mission-oriented research for high-quality and healthy foods, competitive and sustainable agriculture and a preserved and valorised environment.

Founded in 1946, the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) is a mission-oriented public research institution under the joint authority of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
 

A mission-oriented research institute that addresses core development issues, from the local to the international level

Our research is guided by developments in scientific fields and focuses on worldwide challenges related to food and nutrition, the environment and land use facing the world of agriculture and agronomics today. Challenges such as climate change, human nutrition, competition between food and non-food crops, the exhaustion of fossil resources and appropriate land management put agronomists in a position to generate compatible economic, social and environmental development. INRA produces fundamental knowledge that leads to innovation and know-how for society. INRA lends its expertise to public decision-making.
 

		Open to society INRA initiates research projects in France and Europe that it knows are relevant for society, because it is attentive to society’s needs. That is why it carries out forward-planning research with a strategic vision in concert with representatives of society (strategy partners). INRA commits to contributing to society through four-year contracts that set out specific objectives, together with the French government. It lends its expertise to public decision-making.
		Producing knowledge, innovation and know-how for society INRA assists the development of industries and regions of France: it actively participates in a transfer partnership while seeking the public good. INRA shares its knowledge with a vast public.
		Maintaining scientific excellence and research relevance INRA is ranked 2nd in the world and 1st in Europe for publications in the agricultural sciences, and plant and animal sciences. It maintains scientific partnerships with major scientific research institutes worldwide, universities, and agronomy and veterinary schools, and is committed to helping build the European Research Area. INRA encourages a multidisciplinary approach to research. It has received a number of prestigious awards for its researchers and their work.
		A foremost scientific research institution 1,839 researchers and 1,891 doctoral students work at INRA; 1,500 foreign researchers and students come to INRA every year. Research equipment, experimental facilities and major technology transfer are managed by a staff of 2,572 engineers and 4,121 technicians. Over the decade 2010-2020, INRA will develop metaprogrammes – research programmes with a broadened scope of study which combine several disciplines. Such an integrated approach is essential to making progress on global food, agricultural and environmental issues.

The complementary nature of topics studied and techniques used, as well as the diversity of partnerships, guarantee INRA great capacity and the relevance of its actions to benefit society.

Written by: Administrator
Date of creation: 29/06/2005
Date of last update: 30/05/2011