A map depicting soil fertility every 30 metres across Africa could boost the livelihoods and human health across 54 nations, international scientists have said.

Produced by iSDA, a social enterprise founded by Rothamsted Research, World Agroforestry and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, the map charts 3.4 million square miles of potential agricultural land and has gathered data on acidity, organic content and nutrient levels from every field.

A world first, it is hoped the map will help improve harvests and target nutrients as well as advise farmers about yield forecasting, crop suitability and fertiliser application.

Meeting the UK's world-leading climate change target will be a "colossal challenge", a government spending watchdog has warned. The National Audit Office says it will affect the way we work, travel, heat our homes - even how much meat we eat.

In a report it says the cost of cutting CO2 is highly uncertain, but the cost of allowing temperatures to rise would probably be greater. The PM has vowed to cut emissions by 68% by 2030 based on 1990 levels.

Consumers could have a direct line to food producers through the use of ‘smart labelling’ which would increase trust, according to new research.

The Smart Tags project is working with consumers, farmers and retailers to develop smart labelling similar to QR codes.

These active and intelligent labels will allow shoppers to get rapid and better information about food and drinks they consume.

Scientists want to create a production pipeline of a tomato crop enriched with the Parkinson's disease drug L-DOPA, giving patients new access to one of the world's most essential medicines.

The development of the genetically modified (GM) tomato, led by British researchers, has implications for developing nations where access to pharmaceutical drugs is restricted.

This novel use of tomatoes as a natural source of L-DOPA also offers benefits for people who suffer adverse effects, such as nausea, of chemically synthesised L-DOPA.

A new virtual centre will see five agricultural universities work together to address the gap between scientific research on innovation and real-life farming experience.

The Centre for Effective Innovation in Agriculture (CEIA) will look at how research and development investment can best support innovation to be adopted by farmers.

The centre will create practical guides for government and policy makers about effective agricultural research and how to target research funds effectively.

The much-loved combination of beer and crisps is being harnessed for the first time to tackle climate change. Crisps firm Walkers has adopted a technique it says will slash CO2 emissions from its manufacturing process by 70%.

The technology will use CO2 captured from beer fermentation in a brewery, which is then mixed with potato waste and turned into fertiliser. It will then be spread on UK fields to feed the following year's potato crop.

Food prices may increase as a result of new curbs on workers in the UK food supply chain post-transition period, cross-party MPs have warned.

The government must be ready to make changes to its new immigration policy, or risk increased food prices, according to their new report.

The House of Commons' Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee has published the conclusion to its Labour in the Food Supply Chain inquiry.

Projects seeking to transform the UK food system, by placing healthy people and a healthy natural environment at its centre received a £24m boost today.

Four interdisciplinary research projects have received funding through the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Strategic Priorities Fund (SPF). These five-year programmes will address issues such as obesity, sustainable agriculture and global warming.

A cross-party group of MPs have highlighted serious concerns regarding the UK's veterinary capacity after the end of the Brexit transition period.

The new report, produced by the House of Commons EFRA Committee, outlines the essential role of veterinary surgeons throughout the food chain.

NASA has agreed to help develop space technology and utilise scientific experience to 'transform and bolster' the future of agriculture.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening its partnership with NASA.

Researchers will explore gaps of importance to the agricultural community that could be addressed through innovative Earth observation systems and technologies developed over the next decade.

The U.K. is looking at changing regulations to allow gene editing in farming, in a sign of shifting agricultural policy following the nation’s departure from the European Union.

The government plans to consult on whether to regulate certain gene-editing organisms differently from genetically modified products, it said in a statement ahead of a speech by Environment Secretary George Eustice.

Allowing gene editing could unlock substantial benefits to the environment and help farmers with crops that are resistant to pests, disease or extreme weather, he said.

The UK government has launched a consultation on using gene editing to modify livestock and food crops in England.

Gene editing alters the DNA of organisms and, until now, its use had been tightly restricted under EU law.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said the approach could be used to develop crops that are more resistant to disease and extreme weather.