First came the news that scientists in Cambridge had developed a new kind of wheat that could increase productivity by as much as 30%. Then came the next item.
A survey of 200 horticultural businesses conducted by the Royal Horticultural Society found that 70% cannot fill skilled vacancies, 20% are forced to recruit overseas and almost 70% claim that entrants are inadequately prepared for work.
Put the two together and you have a depressingly familiar story: whereas Britain is capable of conducting cutting-edge research with huge implications for the wheat crop, its education system, banking system and entrepreneurs are unmoved.
Gardening is for people who don't quite make it elsewhere. It is not a career in itself, or so most teenagers believe.
This green skills gap must surely be made a thing of the past. Whether it is in plant pathology or conducting research into plant breeding, this is a business that just has to grow.
