DEVELOPING a broadacre cropping industry in Northern Australia is the latest focus for the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA), who have put a call out for organisations to undertake a study into its viability.
The ‘situational analysis’ study would look at grains, oil and fodder products, identifying key challenges and exploring potential solutions. The study aims to identify the most strategic research projects for further investment.
“This study will require extensive consultation and collaboration with all levels of the broadacre cropping sector including producers, industry organisations, researchers and government departments in Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland,” CRCNA CEO Jed Matz said.
He said the process and final report would inform the CRCNA’s strategic research investments, assist with coordination of investment across the northern Australian broadacre cropping sector and improve strategic alignment across the research, policy and service delivery arms of the sector.
Mr Matz said the broadacre cropping situational analysis was one of eight industry situational analysis studies the CRCNA has committed to funding over the next 18-months including. Other sectors the CRCNA will examine include beef, rice, horticulture, forestry, bush foods, aquaculture and health industries.
The outcomes of these studies are expected to inform and support future investment planning for the industries involved, the CRCNA and the Australian, Qld, WA and NT governments.
The Expression of Interest (EOI) into broadacre cropping is now open until Friday, February 1, 2019.
For more information visit the CRCNA website www.crcna.com.au.
