General Manager
Dr Caroline Lemerle
Ph: 02 6271 4033
Fax: 02 6272 5877
Caroline.lemerle@rirdc.gov.au
 

Portfolio Strategy

The emphasis in 2007–08 will be to move the portfolio to clearly align with the priority R&D needs of RIRDC, government and rural industries. A recent RDC workshop "Collaboration – now and in the future" was held at RIRDC in November 2006. At the workshop RDCs discussed current collaboration activities, identified priority areas for future collaboration, and explored approaches for future action. Six areas for collaboration were identified as having priority for co-investment:

Challenges and Opportunities
There are increasing pressures on the economic, ecological and social fabric of rural and regional communities, including:

These pressures contrast with opportunities arising through the next decade and beyond. Opportunities will arise from the burgeoning economies in China and India, which will create emerging markets for commodities and services. Opportunities will also arise from the changing demographics and agricultural systems in rural Australia in the future, as people innovate and adapt to the changing agricultural context in which they do business. Australia’s ‘clean and green’ image will have increasing importance in the global trading environment. Australia will increasingly differentiate agricultural produce for targeted markets, in contrast to dealing with bulk commodities, and this will create opportunity for entrepreneurs and those diversifying their businesses.

Key R&D Issues for 2007–08
New initiatives in the National Rural Issues Portfolio are proposed for farm health and safety, climate change, energy, trade, and peri-urban agriculture.

The Farm Health & Safety Joint Venture (JVFHS) is a co-investment program managed by RIRDC on behalf of 5 RDCs, the Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety, the Office of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council (DEWR), Farmsafe Australia, and the National Farmers Federation. JVFHS has made a significant contribution to the health and safety of rural Australians. Reducing probability of death or injury by only a small amount can result in extremely high benefits. The current JVFHS co-investment arrangements (2002–2007) cease in June 2007. A key R&D priority for the new program in the immediate future is the issue of rural depression and suicide. A new Five-year Plan will be developed in 2007–08 as the basis for the agreed co-investment.

Climate change Climate change poses challenges for all sectors in the Australian economy, and particularly for agriculture with its dependence on natural resources. Agriculture has high exposure, particularly in regions such as the Murray Darling Basin, central Queensland and south western Western Australia, but there may also be opportunities resulting from climate change including opportunities for new agricultural industries. The Australian Government recently released the National Agriculture & Climate Change Action Plan 2006–2009 with a focus on adaptation, mitigation, responding to change, and communication. There has been over a decade of R&D investment in short-term climate variability through the Managing Climate Variability Program (MCVP) coordinated by Land & Water Australia on behalf of a consortium of Research and Development Corporations (RDCs). It is recognized that a longer term R&D focus needs to capture aspects of climate change as well. A new three year program is currently being scoped by Land & Water Australia for co-investment by RDCs commencing 2007–08.

Energy R&D was identified at a 2006 RDC workshop as an area for potential co-investment across RDCs. Energy use efficiency is a key cost of production, both on-farm and along the production chain post-farm gate. R&D aspects to do with transport and heating, energy audits, recovering energy from waste products, and alternative fuels are all pertinent. A new energy cross-RDC R&D plan will be developed by RIRDC in 2007–08 for potential co-investment in 2008–09. This initiative would ultimately sit within the new Biofuels, Bioproducts and Energy Program in Portfolio 1.

Australia’s competitiveness in global markets is vital to the success of the rural sector and to the livelihood of all Australians. Trade R&D is a high priority of many RIRDC stakeholders (NFF, Corish, government national and rural R&D priorities, other RDCs) and RIRDC.. The December 2006 RDC workshop identified aspects to do with trade policy, trade reform, structural reform, economic and technical barriers as critically important. It is proposed that a new trade cross-RDC R&D plan be developed by RIRDC in 2007–08 for potential co-investment in 2008–09, to sit within the Global Competitiveness Program.

Peri-urban agriculture is a key element of the rural sector, with substantial issues, risks and opportunities. It produces around 25% of Australia’s gross value of agricultural production. Its participants have varying extents of agricultural knowledge, sometimes are ‘lifestylers’, and often are diffuse spatially and difficult to engage with. Peri-urban agriculture is often innovative, and the nurturing place for new and emerging industries; but it also often poses risks to food integrity, biosecurity and natural resource management. Federal and state agencies, local government, and regional bodies all have an interest in managing peri-urban agriculture effectively. A scoping study will clarify the R&D gaps to do with peri-urban agriculture, particularly from an industry perspective. This will be the basis for identifying co-investment opportunities.

Agroforestry industry and policy opportunities are being reviewed in 2007–08 as part of the Joint Venture Agroforesty Program.

The Food Integrity and Biosecurity Program was recently reviewed as part of the development of its first Five-year R&D Plan. The Program is new so research outputs are limited to date, but the review identified an important R&D niche for the Program focussed on surveillance, risk management-particularly from a regional and peri-urban perspective, development of management tools, and RIRDC industries.

A recent review of leadership and core research elements of the Human Capital, Communications & Information Systems Program (HCC) found significant contribution to the rural and regional Australia in the areas of developing electronic communications systems responsive to farmers needs, and in identifying and providing solutions to rural social issues. The review found the Program has the potential to have a leadership role in rural social research. The leadership program has contributed to the development of RIRDC’s new rural industries, and to leadership in rural Australia, particularly for women. The review recommended separating out the human capacity R&D and leadership elements of HCC so their roles are clear. Consequently the HCC core research element has been renamed Rural People & Learning Systems.

The Cooperative Venture for Capacity Building formed part of HCC. It is managed by RIRDC on behalf of a consortium of RDCs and government, and its current co-investment arrangements cease in July 2007. RDCs and other agencies recognise that there are still difficulties in promoting the adoption of their R&D by their target audiences. There is also a significant divide between programs aimed at improving productivity and those targeting natural resource management (NRM) outcomes. The use of capacity building approaches to tackle these issues is in its infancy. R&D completed by the CVCB and future activities can improve adoption, integration of NRM and production and contribute to improved human, social and natural capital. Existing partners have indicated willingness to participate in a future new program in capacity building to be negotiated in 2007–08.

The Rangelands & Wildlife Systems and Environment & Farm Management Programs are being closed. Existing commitments will be met, but no new contracts entered into this year. While the outcomes from the programs have underpinned much innovation historically (such as canola) there are now more attractive R&D investments in other cross-cutting areas such as trade, energy, and climate change. RIRDC has attracted a final year of investment from the National Landcare Program for the RIRDC project on Sustainable Wildlife Enterprises.

ey Deliverables for 2007–08

In 2007–08 the National Rural Issues Portfolio proposes to implement the RIRDC Investment Framework by providing the knowledge to address national rural issues; and supporting the rural policy priorities of government, the priorities of rural industries and communities, topics that are cross-sectoral or multi-industry, and where partners support our priorities and co-invest in R&D. The Portfolio will do this through:

Research Manager
Dr Rosemary Lott
Ph: 02 6271 6671
Fax: 02 6272 5877
rosemary.lott@rirdc.gov.au

Objective
To provide knowledge to underpin profitable, sustainable and resilient agroforestry within Australian farming systems and landscapes.

Strategic plan and internet accessibility
The JVAP Five-year R&D plan is accessible in hardcopy and at http:/www.rirdc.gov.au/programs/aft.html

Sources of funds
Core partners are Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), Land & Water Australia, and Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Corporation (FWPRDC). Funding is also provided for some activities by the Natural Heritage Trust, Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Murray-Darling Basin Commission, and the Department of Environment and Heritage Australian Greenhouse Office.

Total R&D expenditure budget  $1,254,440

Background
The Joint Venture Agroforestry Program (JVAP), a partnership since 1993, assists the development of profitable agroforestry industries while delivering beneficial natural resource management outcomes. Farm forestry (or agroforestry) differs from industrial forestry, in that it is integrated into existing agricultural farms, generally as mixed farming enterprises. Woody perennials are combined with cropping and livestock, with decisions made by farmers and landholders and a focus on commercial returns (DAFF 2005). There are six main product streams and services: wood and fibre, eucalyptus oil and oil products, other extractives, energy, carbon sequestration and environmental services, and food and fodder.

Farm forestry includes both planted and native forests. In Australia, estimated gross value of production at mill gate (i.e. unprocessed) for the forestry sector is $1637.3 million per annum, including $799.7 million hardwood species (ABARE 2006). Farm forests and joint ventures currently represent approx. 11% of the plantation estate, with a significant increase in farm planting since 1995. Native forests represent $649.3 million, of which private (farm) native forestry remains a significant contributor (e.g. 45% in some regions). Emerging markets are carbon, biomass for energy, and environmental services, with scope for broadscale expansion on Australia’s land base. Much of this expansion must be on private lands. There is also increased interest in the use of woody fodder (agroforestry) to improve farm resilience to drought and climate change.

Australian and State policies support plantation expansion through the Plantations for Australia 2020 vision, and revegetation through major Natural Resource Management (NRM) initiatives. Planting of deep-rooted woody perennials (trees, mallee, saltbush etc) is a key strategy to address biodiversity, salinity, soil erosion, water quality and carbon sequestration. There is a changing political environment recognising opportunities for carbon sequestration and renewable energy in response to global warming and climate change.

The key challenges for the farm forestry and agroforestry sector are: 1) improving resource information for plantation activity and private native forestry, 2) improving regional coordination to expand scale, market access, and infrastructure, 3) long rotation times, and 4) multiple small scale growers leading to difficulty in extension and adoption. R&D can provide benefits through improving genetic material suited to the land resource available, demonstrating commercial farming systems (despite long crop cycles), analysing infrastructure, harvesting technology and marketing needs, and addressing impediments to creation of regional scales of resource. The JVAP Five-year R&D Plan addresses these challenges via research on products, product-market linkages, and agricultural systems design at the paddock, farm and landscape scale. Complementing these research priorities, JVAP will emphasise information delivery and national coordination of agroforestry research.

Key long term strategies

Note: An asterisk (*) indicates that the Corporation is still to finalise amendments to the project.
 

Agroforestry and Farm Forestry Budget Statement for 2007–08
 
 

Research Manager
Dr George Wilson
Ph: 02 6281 2160
Fax: 02 6285 1195
georgewilson@awt.com.au

Objective

• To foster agri-industry systems that have sufficient diversity, flexibility and robustness to be resilient and respond to challenges and opportunities

Strategic plan and internet accessibility
This program has information at http://www.rirdc.gov.au/programs/efm.html

Sources of funds
This program is funded from RIRDC core funds provided by the Federal Government.

Total R&D expenditure budget  $472,250

Background
The Environment and Farm Management Program (EFM) was formed in 2004 from the former Resilient Agricultural Systems Program (RAS). RAS historically sponsored research and development into ways that farm-based agribusiness systems can be made both sustainable and more profitable. The EFM also supports innovative commercial opportunities, particularly those involving the conversion of liabilities into assets. It focuses on issues that cross a number of sectors. More recently EFM has focussed on environmental management systems (EMS) and frontier technologies.

A key cross sectoral issue for Australian agriculture is declining terms of trade. Global production is growing faster than global demand contributing to a continuing cost-price squeeze. Australian producers are forced to make further efficiency and productivity gains. Nevertheless there are limits to increasing output as a means of reducing costs. Australia is likely to remain a price taker in sales of bulk commodities. Producers need to differentiate their products and to the extent they can, become price setters rather than price takers.

Agriculture is also a declining as proportion of the Australian economy. It is now only <3% of GDP, but still 20% of Australia’s total export value. GVP ranges from $40b in good seasons to $30b in drought years. 64 percent is exported. The Australian food and beverage industry including processing is growing at six percent per year and worth $109b.

Key long term strategies

Research Manager
Dr George Wilson
Ph: 02 6281 2160
Fax: 02 6285 1195
georgewilson@awt.com.au

Objective
To facilitate a more diverse rural sector, enhanced biodiversity and innovative industries based on non-traditional uses of the rangelands and their wildlife.

Strategic plan and internet accessibility
This program has information at http://www.rirdc.gov.au/programs/rws.html

Sources of funds
This program is funded from RIRDC core funds provided by the Federal Government.

Total R&D expenditure budget  $452,250

Background
The focus in the this Program has been on rangelands, including a specific suite of externally funded projects on Sustainable Wildlife Enterprises (SWE) trials, funded with three years investment from the National Landcare Program and ceasing in 2007–08.

More than 75% of Australia is broadly defined as rangelands. The Rangelands include a diverse group of relatively undisturbed ecosystems such as tropical savannas, woodlands, shrublands and grasslands. Rangelands extend across low rainfall and variable climates, including arid, semi-arid, some seasonally high rainfall areas and the slopes and plains of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. Agricultural activity is usually based on extensive grazing on native pastures. Farming systems are highly susceptible to changes in climatic extremes and are struggling to maintain the natural ecosystems on which the sustainability and future production relies.

Diversification of farming enterprises on the rangelands to include the sustainable commercial use of wildlife has the potential to increase the viability of rural communities through the creation of additional and sustainable income streams. Native plants and animals, being inherently more resilient to the extremes of climatic conditions in the Australian landscape, could provide additional income to landholders during periods of low productivity in mainstream enterprises. In addition, the strategic rehabilitation of degraded habitats has the potential to increase whole farm productivity through restoration of natural systems that function to maintain soil and water quality, provide shelter for conventional stock and maintain predator-pest relationships.

This Program (funded by the National Landcare Program 2004–05 to 2007–08) established Sustainable Wildlife Enterprises (SWE) trials to integrate Australia’s native wildlife into existing agricultural enterprises. The trials give effect to the recommendations of the 1998 Report of the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee into the Commercial Utilisation of Native Australian Wildlife. The recommendations were based on overseas experience with native animals similar to kangaroos and indicate that alternative management regimes can enable landholders to integrate wildlife and pastoral enterprises.

Key long term strategies

Research Manager
Dr Caroline Lemerle
Ph: 02 6271 4033
Fax: 02 6272 5877
Caroline.lemerle@rirdc.gov.au

Objective
The Program aims to deliver R&D to facilitate the organic industry’s capacity to meet rapidly increasing demand, domestically and globally.

Strategic plan and internet accessibility
This program has its own five-year R&D plan, accessible in hardcopy and at http://www.rirdc.gov.au/programs/org.html

Sources of funds
This program is funded from RIRDC’s core funds provided by the Federal Government. Preference will be given to project applications which are also supported by funds from industry sources.

Total R&D expenditure budget  $418,750

Background
Organic products are produced and consumed in over 130 countries. They represent the fastest growing food sector worldwide. Growth of new farms, products and number of consumers has been steadily increasing over the last 20 years. In the last 10 years the rate of growth has consistently increased in all of the advanced economies. Market analysts forecast annual growth rates between 10% and 30% around the world. The United States Department of Agriculture expects that the organic industry will be worth US$100 billion by 2010 in just three markets, the USA, Europe and Japan. Major food corporations worldwide are developing organic product lines.

In Australia, the organic sector is worth between $250 – $400m per annum at retail level. Demand is currently outstripping supply. Production in Australia has been increasing at between 6 –15% per annum whereas consumption is growing at between 25–40%. The balance is imported. Australia is one of the world’s leading grain exporters, however organic grains are being imported to meet the shortfall in production.

Rising domestic and overseas demand for Australian organic products is prompting a greater number of conventional farmers and processors to consider and adopt organic systems. Typically the attraction is either improved market access and/or higher prices from niche markets, together with recognition by the marketplace of better and more sustainable farming practices. Concern by both consumers and producers in the need for more sustainable farming practices is growing strongly and there is the potential for organic farming systems to play a role in this across agriculture as a whole.

The Organic Systems R&D portfolio operates through a mixture of commissioned and submitted projects.

Key long term strategies

Research Manager
Dr Caroline Lemerle
Ph: 02 6271 4033
Fax: 02 6272 5877
Caroline.lemerle@rirdc.gov.au

Objective
The Global Competitiveness Program aims to identify the impediments to the development of a globally competitive Australian agricultural sector and supports research investments on options and strategies for removing these impediments.

Strategic plan and internet accessibility
This program has information at http://www.rirdc.gov.au/programs/global.html

Sources of funds
This program is funded from RIRDC core funds provided by the Federal Government. Preference will be given to project applications which are also supported by funds from industry sources.

Total R&D expenditure budget  $471,000

Background
Australia exports approximately two thirds of its agricultural production by value. Our competitiveness in global markets is therefore vital to the future success of the rural sector and to the livelihood of all Australians.

However Australian farmers face many impediments to their exports. Global markets for many agricultural products are distorted by protectionist policies, especially in the European Union, Japan and the United States. Average tariffs applying to agricultural commodities are more than three times those for non-agricultural goods, and some individual tariffs are as high as 800 per cent. There is also growing competition in export markets as other low cost producers such as Brazil and China expand their agricultural output.

The Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations led to some important gains in reforming world agriculture. Progress in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) however remains slow and major agricultural subsidisers continue to be driven by protectionist interests in their farm sectors. Further agricultural reform is central to the current Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations which commenced in 2001. In July 2006 these negotiations stalled, principally over differences on agriculture and currently efforts are being made to revive them in time to conclude the round by the end of 2007. Australia’s negotiating strategy has been to form a strategic alliance with like-minded countries through the Cairns Group which now has 18 members and has been influential in both the Uruguay and Doha rounds.

Another important feature of the international trading environment is the proliferation of bilateral and regional trade agreements. The World Bank estimates that these free trade agreements (FTAs) now cover one-third of global trade. Such agreements may not always be beneficial because they are by definition preferential, but they are increasingly being resorted to because of the slow pace of liberalisation through the WTO, the fear of being left behind by other countries entering FTAs and a reduced commitment to the principles of free trade.

Key long term strategies

The focus of proposed new investment in 2007–08 will be on enhancing the effectiveness of value chains in improving Australia’s global competitiveness, investigating the impact of rapidly emerging economies such as India and China and further research on the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy.

Expected key outputs for 2007–08

Global Competitiveness Budget Statement for 2007–08

Research Manager
Ms Jane Fisher
Ph: 02 6271 6498
Fax: 02 6272 5877
jane.fisher@rirdc.gov.au

Objective
The Food Integrity and Biosecurity Program aims to deliver research and development to enable Australia to maintain its ability to deal with the threats that pest, disease and bio-terrorism pose to food, to crops, to livestock and to enable access to national and international markets.

Strategic plan and internet accessibility
This program has information at http://www.rirdc.gov.au/programs/fib.html

Sources of funds
The program is funded from Core funds. The program has attracted co-investment from a number of sources, including Prime Minister and Cabinet. Collaborative investment from other RDCs is being explored.

Total R&D expenditure budget   $393,292

Background
There are many players on the food integrity and biosecurity stage, however, the Food Integrity and Biosecurity (FIB) Five-year plan has identified that there is a clear niche for RIRDC’s program in the area of new and emerging industries, and peri-urban agriculture. A number of serious, exotic pests have been identified in Australia in the last five years that threaten both Australia’s agricultural industries (eg cane smut and citrus canker) and biodiversity (eg fire ants). There are many more potential pests and diseases that threaten our shores and that may become pests in the future. The FIB program will contribute to developing general surveillance strategies, and to countering issues specific to RIRDC industries, and to peri-urban agriculture.

Key long term strategies

Food Integrity and Biosecurity Budget Statement for 2007–08
 

Research Manager
Ms Jane Fisher
Ph: 02 6271 6498
Fax: 02 6272 5877
jane.fisher@rirdc.gov.au

Objective
To improve productivity, environmental sustainability, and wellbeing in rural and regional Australia through R&D that contributes to building stronger and innovative institutions, communities, group activities and personal capacities.

Strategic plan and internet accessibility
The Five-year Plan for this Program is currently before the RIRDC Board for approval in May 2007. Website information is under development.

Sources of funds
Eighty percent of the Rural People and Learning Systems budget comes from RIRDC Core funds, with 17 % from external contributions.

Total R&D expenditure budget   $557,000

Background
The people, or human capital, engaged in rural industries drive innovation and change leading to improved productivity and sustainability. Many agencies, both government and agribusiness, aim to build human capital by providing knowledge and skills to utilise new productions systems and technologies.

Research and development to improve the educative and delivery processes that underpin these services will enhance this human capital. Human capital also rests on the physical and mental health of people within a community as well as their ability to contribute to the community’s well-being.

Enhanced learning systems enable farm managers to access the knowledge and skills required for innovation and change. There is recognition that learning systems to enhance adoption and implementation of research require ongoing development, including new thinking about ways of interacting with client groups, and testing of new technologies related to internet applications for their application to rural life. This research is important for maintaining viable industries and communities in rural Australia.

Key long term strategies

Key strategies for 2007–08

Note: An asterisk (*) indicates that the Corporation is still to finalise amendments to the project.

Rural People and Learning Systems budget statement for 2007–08

Research Manager
Ms Jane Fisher
Ph: 02 6271 6498
Fax: 02 6272 5877
jane.fisher@rirdc.gov.au

Objective
To develop leadership capacity in individuals who are creative, resilient and able to think of new and creative ways of doing business or undertaking research for the benefit of rural and regional Australia.

Strategic plan and internet accessibility
Under development

Sources of funds
The program is funded from Core funds. Collaborative investment from a number of sources, including other RDCs, is being explored.

Total R&D expenditure budget  $567,000

Background
Leadership in rural Australia is a work in progress, with succession planning required to identify and train new talent as existing leaders move on, and as new issues emerge. There is also a need for leadership from youth, and from women. RIRDC has supported a number of leadership programs in the past, including the RIRDC scholarship program, the Australian Rural Leadership program, the Rural Women’s Award, Nuffield, Heywire and other related bursaries and awards.

Key long term strategies

The RIRDC Leadership budget statement for 2007–08

Research Manager
Ms Jane Fisher
Ph: 02 6271 6498
Fax: 02 6272 5877
jane.fisher@rirdc.gov.au

Objective
To ensure an effective system for continuous capacity building in primary industries in Australia by coordinating and funding a targeted R&D program

Strategic plan and internet accessibility
More information on this program can be found online at http://www.rirdc.gov.au/capacitybuilding/index.html

Sources of funds
Income for the CVCB relies on contributions from partner agencies who are the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australian Wool Innovation, Dairy Australia, Grains Research and Development Corporation, Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation, Land & Water Australia, Meat & Livestock Australia, Murray-Darling Basin Commission, Cotton Research and Development Corporation, and Sugar Research and Development Corporation.

Total R&D expenditure budget  $234,000

Background
The Cooperative Venture for Capacity Building for Innovation in Rural Industries (CVCB) is a major initiative was developed in 2001–02 by a number of RDCs and other agencies with an interest in rural industry education and extension. It is managed by RIRDC on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Australian Wool Innovation; Dairy Australia; Grains Research and Development Corporation; Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation; Land & Water Australia; Meat & Livestock Australia; Murray-Darling Basin Commission; and Sugar Research and Development Corporation. RDCs and other agencies recognise that much of their R&D fails to be adopted by their target audiences. There is also a significant divide between programs aimed at improving productivity and those targeting NRM outcomes. The use of capacity building approaches to tackle these issues is in its infancy. R&D completed by the CVCB and future activities can improve adoption, integration of NRM and production and contribute to improved human, social and natural capital.

Key long term strategies

Expected key outputs for 2007–08

Key Performance Indicators

Research Manager
Ms Jane Fisher
Ph: 02 6271 6498
Fax: 02 6272 5877
jane.fisher@rirdc.gov.au

Objective
To be developed for the new Collaborative Partnership for Primary Industries Health and Safety

Strategic plan and internet accessibility
More information on this Program can be found online at http://www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/ohs5yr.htm

Sources of funds
Income for the Collaborative Partnership for Primary Industries Health and Safety relies on contributions from partner agencies.

Total R&D expenditure budget  $370,000

Background
The Joint Research Venture for Farm Health and Safety (JVFHS) was established in 2001 as a partnership between Rural Industries R&D Corporation (RIRDC), Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), Cotton R&D Corporation (CRDC), Grains R&D Corporation (GRDC), Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and Sugar R&D Corporation (SRDC).

The objectives of the first five-year plan were to:

Key long term strategies

Key strategies for 2007–08

Expected key outputs for 2007–08

Research Manager
Dr Caroline Lemerle
Ph: 02 6271 4033
Fax: 02 6272 5877
Caroline.lemerle@rirdc.gov.au

Objective
To increase the adoption of climate risk management amongst farmers and natural resource managers and improve seasonal forecasting.

Sources of funds
This program is funded through co-investment arrangements across RDCs with a contribution from RIRDC core funds

Total R&D expenditure budget  $100,000

Background
The understanding of anthropogenic warming and cooling influences on climate has improved over the last decade. There is now a very high confidence that human activities since 1750 have had a warming effect globally (Summary for Policy Makers Intergovernmental Panel Climate Change WG1 Fourth Assessment Report February 2007).

Climate change poses challenges for all sectors in the Australian economy, and particularly for agriculture with its dependence on natural resources. Agriculture has high exposure, particularly in regions such as the Murray Darling Basin, central Queensland and south western Western Australia. There may also be opportunities resulting from climate change such as growth of new agricultural industries.

The Australian Government recently released the National Agriculture & Climate Change Action Plan 2006–2009 with four key aspects:

Key long term strategies

Last updated: July 2007  Copyright © RIRDC
http://www.rirdc.gov.au/aop07-08/aop4.html