$25m for WA agriculture research

A collaboration among WA's leading research bodies will be created as part of a $25 million investment into growing agricultural research and development in the state.

The WA government announced today that an additional $25 million as part of the 2022-23 state budget will go towards creating a new Western Australian Agricultural Collaboration.

The collaboration comprises of WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the University of Western Australia, Curtin University and Murdoch University.

“A key focus will be to invest in the next generation of leading scientists through doctorates, postgraduate placements and early career opportunities for emerging scientists,” Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan said.

“WA agricultural research will now have a real opportunity to get back a fair share of grower funds and ensure research that is designed to meet the geographic and market conditions in WA.

“It will bring together leading WA research institutions to define a new collective research approach to agriculture in WA to grow our research quality, capacity, careers and foster collaborations inside and outside of WA.”

The collaboration aims to strengthen research, development and extension capabilities to help future-proof the sector.

It is also expected to position WA for more national research funding and help stimulate more investment for WA-based research and agrifood sector.

The collaboration will apply cutting-edge science and expertise to the state's unique features, including managing WA's drying climate, developing new technology to enhance productivity and reducing carbon emissions.

Other endeavours include building on the current research effort and getting behind WA growers to adopt new agricultural technologies across grains, livestock and irrigated agriculture.