A new Grains Research Precinct now open at Murdoch and Curtin universities will help to boost profitability for Australian grain growers and strengthen the national grain industry.
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the Precinct would support resilience in Australia’s $14 billion grain industry.
“The Grains Research Precinct will support cutting-edge work on improved crop productivity and disease resistance by facilitating new research into crop pathology, plant physiology and genetic improvement,” Minister Littleproud said.
“The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has invested $4.5 million to establish the Grains Research Precinct in collaboration with Murdoch and Curtin universities, and the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
“Over the past five years the Australian Government has invested $357 million in the GRDC in matched payments. This investment continues to support innovative projects right around the country.
“Innovation and Research is one of the key themes we are focusing on in support of industry’s $100 billion in farmgate value by 2030 vision. The grains and oilseeds industry continues to make a huge contribution in search of that target, with ABARES forecasting a harvest worth $14.7 billion in 2020-21,” Minister Littleproud said today.
Senator for Western Australia Slade Brockman, attending the official opening of the precinct today, hailed the new facility as an example of the government partnering with industry to grow the West’s agricultural output, productivity and profitability.
“This research hub will support grain growers both here in the West and all over the nation to grow and innovate and stay on the front-line of grains research, technology and adaptation.
“The fact that we are investing in this crucial infrastructure is a sign of our confidence in WA grain growers and our commitment to seeing them thrive,” Senator Brockman said today.
GRDC Chair John Woods said the aim of the GRDC Grains Research and Development Infrastructure Grant program that made the Grains Research Precinct possible was to boost capacity and capability in Australian grain research and development, and to create enduring profitability for grain growers.
“This new Precinct is an excellent example of collaboration between the GRDC and some of our key research partners and will help us continue to deliver critical research, development and extension.
“We have invested in this infrastructure because it will enable crop research in key areas such as disease to be conducted efficiently, while at the same time ensuring GRDC has increased capacity and ability for research that benefits all Australian grain growers.”
