$3M grant for rural research purposes in Wagga
24/9/2017
Giving a $3M boost will secure Wagga’s placing as an important research body. The CSU (Charles Sturt University) and GRDC (Grains Research & Development) joined program enables research on crops and weed control for the improvement of the agricultural field.
Giving a $3M boost will secure Wagga’s placing as an important research body.The CSU (Charles Sturt University) and GRDC (Grains Research & Development) joined program enables research on crops and weed control for the improvement of the agricultural field.
Steve Jefferies, manager of GRDC revealed that the money will contribute to secure high-end glasshouses and phytotron plant development spaces. He commented that these advanced units will help support the effectiveness and results from crop research.Mr. Jefferies also disclosed to a meeting at CSU last Monday morning that GRDC implemented a procedure to re-determine its path and goals. He also added that it’s in their aims to invest in grains research, improvement and expansion to secure the feasibility of Australian grain farmers.
He also emphasized that legislation implied that GRDC had to collaborate with other bodies in the industry to develop new projects. These for example could be seasoned agencies with the experience and skills to produce a great result.
In regards to examining the contribution of research and development in the grains and crop field, he noticed some important progress. As he explained further, a decade ago, they were accountable for 35% of the research and enhancement programs but now the amount has risen to over 60%.
He additionally gave emphasis to what some in the industry refer to as a decrease in the devotion for rural research by the public bodies. As he said, there in New South Wales people are more fortunate because there is a university (The Charles Sturt) which keeps on developing and dedicating time in grain research projects and the rural field in general.
Mr Jefferies noted that this the first effort GRDC initiated a committed infrastructure project which covers both NSW region and beyond that, to boost the efforts of their research collaborators in generating an important efficiency and allowance.
The $3M grant was composed by $2.7 given by GRDC and the rest was funded by CSU.
He said that the fund was an fraction of a general $15M investment in rural projects of various categories.
Professor Mary Kelly, CSU’s deputy vice-chancellor for research and growth, revealed that this grant will give the boost to the university to maintain their research projects and partnerships with other parts.
Jim Pratley, professor of Graham Centre has also commented that Wagga has been the centrefold of all important rural research programs.
He revealed the projects were focused on earnings and feasibility together with the broader agricultural supply network.
