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Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation |
RIRDC ANNUAL OPERATIONAL PLAN 2002-2003
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Programs of the Annual Operational Plan
Portfolio
Budget Statement 2002–2003
Outcomes
and Outputs Framework
Our
Program Structure 2002–2003
Program
1: Prospective New Industries
- 1.1
New Plant Products
1.2 New Animal Products
Program
2: Emerging New Industries
- 2.1
Asian Foods
2.2 Agroforestry and Farm Forestry
2.3 Deer
2.4 Essential Oils and Plant Extracts
2.5 Organic Produce
2.6 Rare Natural Animal Fibres
2.7 Tea Tree Oil
2.8 Wildflowers and Native Plants
Program
3: Established Industries
- 3.1
Chicken Meat
3.2 Eggs
3.3 Honeybee
3.4 Rice
3.5 Horses
3.6 Fodder Crops
3.7 Pasture Seeds
Program
4: Future Agricultural Systems
- 4.1
Global Competitiveness
4.2 Resilient Agricultural Systems
4.3 Human Capital, Communications and Information Systems
Program
5: Portfolio Management
- 5.1
Corporate Activities, Finance and Administration
5.2 Staffing
5.3 Corporate Communications
5.4 Commercialisation
5.5 Program Impact Evaluation
Portfolio
Budget Statement 2002–2003
— Outcomes
and Outputs Framework
RIRDC—Revenue from Other Sources
2002–2003 (Total Revenue ($’000))*
| Outcomes |
|
|||
| Monies from industry levies | Indirect Commonwealth Appropriation and Matching Commonwealth levy contribution | Monies from other sources | Total Revenue from independent sources | |
| Outcome 1 | 3,982 | 15,206 | 5,827 | 25,015 |
Relationships Between Outcomes and Outputs
The map below shows the relationship between outcomes and the contributing outputs for RIRDC during 2002–2003.
| Performance information for RIRDC Outcome - Effectiveness | |
| Economic returns from RIRDC investments in excess of prescribed benefit/cost ratios, as well as non-monetary and public good benefits for the community from strategic and environmental research. Review of R&D programs on a 4-year rolling evaluation basis | Ability
to achieve benefit/cost ratios and internal rates of return on R&D
projects as follows:
Output 1 – B/C of 2 and IRR
of 15%
|
| Alignment of RIRDC’s priorities and plans with those of industry and the Commonwealth Government | Demonstrated compliance with Government R&D priorities as outlined in Minister’s letter of 14 December 1999. Demonstrated consultation with industry prior to finalisation of industry R&D plans |
| Ratio of administration costs to total costs | Ratio of administration costs to total costs less than the RDC average |
| Expansion of the gross value of production of new and emerging industries supported by RIRDC | RIRDC’s ability to contribute to industry growth demonstrated by increasing size of industry |
| Translation of research outputs into industry benefits | Rates of adoption of research outputs as evidenced by RIRDC’s user surveys and adoption estimates derived as part of benefit/cost analysis of RIRDC investments |
| Performance Information for RIRDC Outputs | |
| Output 1 - R&D activities that investigate and develop prospects for new industries in rural and regional Australia | Quality:
Research contracts let by end July and 90% of all milestone reports processed
within 3 weeks of receipt
Quantity: 18 new and 46 continuing contracts under management. Price: Average of $40,000 per contract |
| Output 2 - R&D activities that expedite the growth and development of emerging rural and associated processing industries | Quality:
Research contracts let by end July and 90% of all milestone reports processed
within 3 weeks of receipt
Quantity: 25 new and 67 continuing contracts under management Price: Average of $55,000 per contract |
| Output 3 - R&D activities that maximise the contribution of R&D to the profitability and sustainability of the established rural industries that RIRDC represents | Quality:
Research contracts let by end July and 90% of all milestone reports processed
within 3 weeks of receipt
Quantity: 51 new and 138 continuing contracts under management Price: Average of $50,000 per contract |
| Output 4 - R&D activities that identify key generic cross-sectoral issues confronting the rural sector and the formulation of appropriate programs that will benefit the rural sector and Australia. | Quality:
Research contracts let by end July and 90% of all milestone reports processed
within 3 weeks of receipt
Quantity: 23 new and 39 continuing contracts under management Price: Average of $65,000 per contract |
Program 1: Prospective New Industries
- New Plant Products
- New Animal Products
Sub-Program
1.1: New Plant Products
Research Manager:
Mr Max Bourke
Phone: 02 6247 4630
Fax: 02 6247 4051
Email: mbourke@ruralfunds.com.au
Objective: To facilitate the development of new industries based on plants or plant products that have commercial potential for Australia.
Research Budget: $1,410,000
Background
RIRDC supports a diverse program of R&D within its charter of encouraging and assisting prospective industries. Existing small industries are also supported so that they may contribute to regional development and to the national economy as a whole. The research and development needs of these smaller industries are just as demanding as those of the larger established industries, particularly in the feasibility stage.
The program has six components:
The program provides a means of
supporting commercially viable but intrinsically small rural industries.
Testing new crops and their potential in the value chain as well as re-examining
older plant species for current needs are seen as essential business by
the Corporation.
Key sub-program strategies
Strategies for 2002–2003
- Support research on new crops in the six components above.
- In conjunction with Horticulture Australia Ltd continue to develop the olive industry and issue a new Olive R&D Plan.
- Work towards a New Crops National Conference for 2003 to review progress and policy in this area.
- Review the work of the North Australian Cocoa Development Alliance at the end of this period.
- Take forward the proposals from both the Culinary Herb and Native Food industries to develop stronger industry organisations.
- Encourage researchers in the Native Food industry to put in proposals leading to real commercial development of this industry.
Expected key outputs in 2002–2003
Expected key outcomes in 2002–2003
This sub-program has separate Five-Year Plans on Native Foods, Culinary Herbs, Longan and Olives, which are accessible in hardcopy and on the Internet at www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/publications.html#newplans
Strategic Plans for Durian, Rambutan and Mangosteen are also available in hard copy.
Sub-Program 1.1: New Plant Products — new projects being funded in 2002–2003 include
| Project | Title | Researcher | Phone | |
| NPP02-06 | * | Do our own quandong research (DOOR) feasibility study | Dr. Ben Lethbridge | (08) 8383 6181 |
| NPP02-07 | * | Effects of post harvest handling, storage and processing on functional ingredients in native plant foods | Mrs. Janette McDonald | (07) 3406 8643 |
| NPP02-14 | * | Agricultural chemical guidelines for export herbs | Mrs. Jane Parker | (07) 5447 0024 |
| NPP02-23 | Evaluation of hemp and kenaf breeding lines in tropical and sub-tropical environments | Dr. Peter Lawrence | (07) 4992 9135 | |
| NPP02-24 | Evaluation of jojoba germplasm in different environments | Mr. Peter Milthorpe | (02) 6895 1016 | |
| NPP02-27 | * | Production of bioactive phenols from olive processing waste streams | Dr. Paul Prenzler | (02) 6933 2540 |
| NPP02-29 | * | Quality enhancement of Australian extra-virgin olive oils | Dr. Paul Prenzler | (02) 6933 2540 |
| NPP02-30 | * | New oilseed options for Australian farmers and industry | Dr. Clive Francis | (08) 9380 1878 |
| NPP02-31 | Processing and market assessment for cottonised fibre from linseed stalks | Dr. Peter Lamb | (03) 5246 4000 | |
| NPP02-34 | * | Myrtus ugni berries: develop production protocols and export market procedures | Dr. Jenny Jobling | (02) 9490 8333 |
| NPP02-44 | Second Australian New Crops Conference | Dr. Rob Fletcher | (07) 5460 1311 | |
| RAS02-20 | * | Investigation into legumes with pharmaceutical and aquaculture potential | Dr. Shao Fang Wang | (08) 9222 3040 |
| ZZX-43A | * | DAQ-256A Extension (Northern Australia cocoa development) | Mr. Craig Lemin | (07) 4064 1170 |
| ZZX-50A | * | Laying the groundwork for a new rural industry - Stevia rebaudiana | Prof. David Midmore | (07) 4930 9770 |
| ZZX-51A | * | National Olive Variety Assessment Project (NOVA) Stage II | Ms. Susan Sweeney | (08) 8303 9673 |
| ZZX-52A | * | US-98A Extension (Condiment paprika: breeding, processing and commercialisation) | Prof. Nicholas Derera | (02) 9351 8813 |
| ZZX-53A | * | Survey of culinary herb growers to develop a database which evaluates the industry and assesses attitudes to industry funding of research and development and organisation | Ms. Jillian Stone | (08) 8298 2882 |
Achievements in 2001–2002
- Work on innovative products from indigenous Australian native foods was completed at the University of NSW.
- A Native Food R&D Plan for 2002-2007 was completed and published with broad support in the industry.
- The economics and agronomic requirements for the production of food gums from Senna spp was published.
- Workshops on quality protocols and guidelines for the production of table olives in Australia commenced.
- The lychee industry program was moved to Horticulture Australia as it now has raised a substantial levy base for R&D.
- The final project on cashew nutrition and management was completed and published thus providing a strong basis for future producers of this crop.
- Durian germplasm evaluation trials and an industry strategic plan for this fruit were completed and published.
- The Australian New Crops Newsletter became an on-line publication.
- The Native Food and Plants website commenced operation.
- Published more than ten final reports.
Sub-Program 1.2: New Animal Products
Research Manager:
Dr Peter McInnes
Phone: 08 8556 7331
Fax: 08 8556 7289
Email: mcinnes2@comstech.com
Objective: To accelerate the development of viable new animal industries.
Research Budget: $943,000
Background
There are more than 40 prospective and emerging animal-based industries for which RIRDC receives research proposals or inquiries regarding R&D funding. The annual value of livestock and products traded from these industries exceeds $200 million with approximately 50 per cent traded on export markets.
In 2001–2002 the Corporation funded specific projects for more than 15 of these industries. Other individual projects covered a broad spectrum of species and their products such as skin, milk and meat. Projects are increasingly covering R&D across the value-added chain. For the very small industries, initially R&D is directed as necessary to feasibility studies and/or the development of a business plan.
Funding continues on the commercialisation of native and feral animal products where enhancement of the environment and biodiversity are not threatened. Specific projects are in progress for the kangaroo, emu and crocodile industries. Other projects continue in gamebirds, rabbit, ostrich, dairy goats. A new project on silk production received additional funding in 2001–2002
Key sub-program strategies
Strategies for 2002–2003
Expected key outputs in 2002–2003
Expected key outcomes in 2002–2003
| BUFFALO SUB-ACCOUNT | ||||
|
|
Forecast |
Budget |
||
| Opening Balance |
69,734
|
54,034
|
||
| Total Revenues |
22,500
|
28,355
|
||
| Total Expenditure |
38,200
|
16,200
|
||
| Surplus/(Deficit) |
(15,700)
|
12,155
|
||
| Closing Balance |
54,034
|
66,189
|
||
| See Table 2 at page * for further details | ||||
|
KANGAROO SUB-ACCOUNT |
||||
|
|
Forecast |
Budget |
||
| Opening Balance |
5,758
|
23,358
|
||
| Total Revenues |
43,500
|
34,000
|
||
| Total Expenditure |
25,900
|
13,900
|
||
| Surplus/(Deficit) |
17,600
|
20,100
|
||
| Closing Balance |
23,358
|
43,458
|
||
| See Table 12 at page * for further details | ||||
This sub-program has its own Three
Year Plan which is accessible in hardcopy and on the Internet at www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/newanimals3yr.htm
Sub-Program 1.2: New Animal Products
— new projects being funded in 2002–2003 include
| Project No. | Title | Researcher | Phone |
|
|
Improved preservation and early stage processing of Australian crocodile skins | Dr Stephen Hawkins | (03) 9545 2397 |
|
|
Captive breeding and marketing of turtles | Dr Graham Webb | (08) 8922 4500 |
|
|
Crusader - a production system for Australian farmed rabbits | Dr Sandra Eady | (02) 6776 1394 |
|
|
On-farm research of pelleted feed for crocodiles | Mr Bernie Davis | (07) 4722 2649 |
|
|
Adding value along the new animal product supply chain | Mr David Michael | (02) 9369 2736 |
|
|
The value of Australia's emerging agricultural industries | Mr Perry Smith | (02) 6272 2024 |
Achievements in 2001–2002
