Program Overview

Strategies and Expectations 2008-09

Key strategies for 2008-09

Due to the significant reduction in R&D funding in 2008-09 there is unlikely to be an open call for new research proposals in 2009-10. To ensure the long term sustainability of the Program the key strategies for 2008-09 will be to:

• maintain key activities of the rice breeding and quality evaluation Program to increase efficiency at farm level (with special emphasis on cold tolerance, yield and quality);
• understand, quantify and manage the spatial variability of rice growth;
• support key Australian rice research and extension capacity; and
• develop whole farm planning and assessment tools to ensure profitability and environmental sustainability.

Expected key outputs for 2008-09

Current R&D investments will:

• retain key rice research and extension staff involved in the Rice Program;
• progress toward the development of cold tolerant rice varieties;
• enhance cooperative efforts with international, commonwealth, state and industry based agencies to improve water management and the changing climatic landscape;
• increase understanding of new farming techniques (especially through the Rice Field Day held in February each year); and
• enhance measurability and assessability of farming activities.

Expected key outcomes for 2008-09

Investments will assist the Australian rice uindustry by:

• furthering the advancement towards the development of cold tolerant rice varieties;
• increasing understanding of new farming techniques;
• promoting completed and ongoing research supported by the Rice R&D Program; and
• enhancing measurability and assessability of farming activities.