$23 million for first round of food research funding

A government plan to secure jobs for Australians and build sustainable industries will see Australia’s food, manufacturing and defence industries work with university researchers to become more competitive in the global marketplace.

The food industry will be the first to benefit, with eight research projects receiving more than $23 million to address challenges in storage, processing, manufacturing capabilities and product opportunities.

Four research hubs and four training centres will be created under the first round of the Industrial Transformation Research Program.

“One of Australia’s strengths in the global economy is its reputation as a clean, green food producer,” said Science and Research Minister Dr Craig Emerson.

“High-end agribusiness, particularly directed at Asia’s rapidly expanding middle classes, is one of the areas with most potential in Australia. This is about making Australian industry globally competitive and profitable in the Asian Century.”

Successful first-round projects include: securing the future of Australia’s dairy industry, innovative wine production, cutting-edge aquaculture and increasing Asian export opportunities.

The second round of the program will address research priorities in food storage, food processing, food manufacturing capabilities and product opportunities. It will also target product design and development, manufacturing techniques, defence manufacturing and firm organisation and management.

The Industrial Transformation Research Program is part of the Industry Innovation Precincts initiative, which supports industry-research partnerships to boost Australian industries’ competitiveness.