A barrister from Builth Wells has been awarded the 2024 Nuffield Scholarship.

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) announced Sioned Davies as the recipient of the prestigious scholarship.

Ms Davies, who specialises in planning and environmental law, will be formally awarded the scholarship at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair on November 25.

Her professional background has seen her represent a range of stakeholders within the planning and environmental sectors, including agribusinesses, commercial developers, and public bodies.

She has tackled complex regulatory challenges facing agricultural developments, including intensive livestock installations, renewable energy projects, and enforcement issues.

Her upbringing on a family farm and her work in the agricultural law sector have given her a unique perspective on the challenges farmers face today.

This inspired her Nuffield research project, which will focus on 'Scaling Insect Protein Production Using On-Farm Chicken Litter'.

Ms Davies's innovative approach aims to tackle the pollution issues in the River Wye catchment area by transforming waste from intensive poultry farming into high-quality, sustainable insect protein for animal feed.

This project will see her travel internationally to learn from industry leaders and explore scalable solutions.

Her journey will include visits to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, where she will study advanced insect protein production methods and strategies for circular agriculture.

Her research promises to offer valuable insights into sustainable farming practices for Welsh agriculture and beyond.

The RWAS congratulated Ms Davies on her achievement and said her project represents a significant step towards sustainable farming solutions in Wales.

A spokesman for the RWAS said: "The RWAS congratulates Sioned Davies on this incredible achievement and looks forward to following her journey.

"The Society remains dedicated to supporting and celebrating innovation in the agricultural sector, and Sioned’s project represents a significant step towards sustainable farming solutions in Wales."