Scientists unveil ten year plan to boost ag sector

According to some of Australia's leading scientists, significant financial support is needed to ensure Australia retain its position as a major agricultural nation, as well as protect the industry from climate variability or major disease outbreaks.

The recommendation was one of several made in the The Australian Academy of Science's Decadal Plan for Agriculture, a ten-year strategic plan to help boost productivity and profitability of Australia's farming sector.

The plan was released earlier this week by the Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, Luke Hartsuyker MP.

Chair of the Academy’s National Committee for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Dr Jeremy Burdon, says the establishment of a research translation fund backed by public and private equity would fast-track investment in the development of applications for the most promising Australian research.

"There remains a distinct lack of coordination of agricultural research and innovation in Australia and a culture of competition over collaboration," he says.

"The scientific and research community must form stronger partnerships across sectors and industries, focusing on better-integrated global data, modelling and analytical capacities, to better respond to new opportunities and prepare for major threats to agricultural production."

The plan also outlines strategies to help producers maintain productivity in the face of evolving natural challenges.

"Australia has repeatedly faced invasions of plant and animal diseases that, once established, consume large amounts of resources in order to regain control. Yet there are unfortunately plenty more to come," Dr Burdon says.

"We know for instance that it’s only a matter of time until we see an outbreak of an aggressive invasive species such as the Varroa destructor mite that would devastate bee colonies and crop pollination.

"If the status quo is maintained, Australia will be unable to marshal well-coordinated research teams to prepare for and respond to these kinds of shocks. This will dramatically impact the Agriculture Minister’s vision to turn our agricultural sector into a $100 billion sector by 2025."

The ten-year strategy is available from the Academy website and can be viewed here.