$50m on offer for rural R&D grants

The federal government has announced it is accepting applications for funding grants under the second round of its Rural Research and Development (R&D) for Profit program.

Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Barnaby Joyce said up to $50 million in funding was available under Round 2 of the program to deliver R&D projects to boost profitability and productivity.

“The program encourages collaboration between industry, researchers and Rural Research and Development Corporations (RDCs) on projects that will deliver real benefits on the farm,” Minister Joyce said.

Joyce said the focus of the program is on developing and delivering research and technologies in a way that is practical and accessible for primary producers.

“Round 1 of the program saw more than $26 million in grants approved that will deliver tangible benefits at the farmgate, including better control methods for major weeds that threaten profitability, and resources to support farmers identify and capitalise on opportunities in export markets,” he said.

One of the first-round grant recipients is Horticulture Innovation Australia, which is collaborating with the University of New England on a $3.4 million project to integrate the latest imaging and robotics technologies to provide mango, avocado and macadamia farmers with decision-support tools to help improve production and profit. The data collected through this project, and the tools it develops, will help farmers to predict fruit quality and yield, and to monitor tree health, including early detection of pests and disease outbreaks.

Round 2 projects will be required to address one or more priorities in the following research, development or extension areas:

• Advanced technology to enhance innovation of products, processes and practices across the supply chain.
• Biosecurity to improve understanding of pest and disease pathways.
• Soil, water and managing natural resources to manage soil health, improve water use efficiency, sustainably develop new production areas and improve resilience.
• Adoption of R&D focusing on flexible delivery of extension services that meet primary producers’ needs.

All 15 Rural Research and Development Corporations (RDCs) can apply for funding under the program. To be eligible, RDCs must partner with one or more researchers, universities, research agencies, funding bodies, businesses, producer groups or not-for-profit organisations, and provide a contribution (cash or cash and in-kind) at least equal to the requested Commonwealth grant funding.

Applications close on 1 December 2015. For more information, visit agriculture.gov.au/rd4profit.