April 22, 2022
Where should Australian research be focussed to help ensure growers are profitable now and into the future?
This is the multi-million-dollar question the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is now asking farmers and industry.
GRDC invests more than $180 million a year on behalf of the nation’s grain growers into research and development. The aim is to deliver new and improved crop varieties, farming practices and technologies that support the profitability of the country’s 22,000-plus grain farming operations.
The organisation is asking grain growers, advisers, researchers and industry stakeholders to have input into GRDC’s new five-year-plan that will guide investment into RD&E from 2023-28.
The GRDC says it will be providing multiple opportunities for consultation and feedback between now and February next year.
Chair John Woods said it was critical that industry had an opportunity to be involved and engaged in the development of the plan.
“Grain growers manage about 4 per cent of the Australian continent, covering an estimated 22.4 million hectares, and this year growers will contribute more than $20 billion to the national economy, so they play an important part in delivering economic and environmental outcomes on behalf of the broader community,” Mr Woods said.
“It is important we understand growers’ needs and priorities, so research dollars are invested in RD&E that yields results. For this ,we need industry input, guidance and support during the consultation phase.”
- More information is available online
