Agribusiness & Food

WA minister: R&D key to grain future

Grain. Photo: Shutterstock.

WA minister for agriculture and food Dean Nalder says the government will continue to work with the Grains Research and Development Corporation to drive long-term growth and profitability into the state’s $5 billion grain sector.

The GRDC is a statutory corporation established by the Federal Government in 1990, responsible for planning and investing in research and development activities in the Australian grain sector.

Nalder says he met with the GRDC board recently to reaffirm his state’s commitment to the corporation and its efforts.

“We have full confidence that the GRDC’s investment in WA is advancing the prosperity of our growers and the WA grains sector as a whole,” the minister said on May 17.

“The corporation understands the needs of WA grain growers and has an established union with the Department of Agriculture and Food to undertake targeted research and development projects that generate measurable benefits.”

As well as working with the GRDC, Nalder said the government would continue to work closely with its Grains Industry Group, and other research providers, “to pursue a suitable structure that delivers high quality research and development to ensure commercial outcomes for industry”.

“While this process is well advanced, I am keen to explore all avenues to ensure the best model to deliver productivity and profitability benefits to grain growers and the sector as a whole.”

The farm gate value of grains in WA was $5.5 billion in 2014/15, and the state is the largest exporter of wheat in Australia, with 9.2 million tonnes exported in 2014/15.

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