Harper Adams University College is to set up a £3m agricultural engineering and research centre at its Edgmond site in Shropshire, with the creation of 160 jobs.
Prime Minister David Cameron made the funding announcement during his two-day trade trip to Brazil.The initiative will fund Brazilian students to study agricultural engineering at Harper Adams from 2013.
Mr Cameron said: “It’s great for the UK that Harper Adams is establishing the National Centre for Precision Farming.
“This new higher education and research facility in Shropshire for engineering and farming students will lead to the creation of 160 jobs.
“I’m delighted that the university has joined Brazil’s science and education programme and that Brazilian students will start studying there next year.
“It will help to strengthen the links between the UK and Brazil and will bring in increased revenue for the university.”
Dr David Llewellyn, Harper Adams principal, said a scheme had already been developed for the new National Centre for Precision Farming and it had been given planning permission.
The overall cost of the centre is £2.93m, and it is expected to be in use by October 2013.