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Program Overview
Background and Long-Term Strategy
Australian rice production peaked in 2001 with over 1.7 million tonnes being produced. Improved conditions in 2007-08 saw increases in the production of most broadacre crops and their associated prices. This was highlighted by the increase in the gross values of most crops, except rice, which continued to fall in 2007-08, down 87 per cent to $7.3 million (source ABS). Severe drought conditions have produced a steep decline in production to 19,000 tonnes in 2008, the smallest since 1929. The rice region has received better than expected water flows in 2009, and timely contact from the Government about the volume of these flows has allowed rice farmers to plant in preparation of potential increased water flow allocations. As a result, the tonnages expected for the 2009-10 season are in the 100,000-200,000 tonne range. Rice communities hope that the bottom of production has been reached and the turn around to higher production levels and a more normal price situation can be expected in the next few years.
Because of the increasing variability and continued reduction of income into the rice program, increased collaboration and linkages with other research organisations and funding bodies is a key aim of the rice program. Greater collaboration and linkages with the GRDC has already been initiated and a joint venture with SunRice and the NSW department will be in place by 1 July 2010. This will provide insulation from income fluctuations and better use of shared resources.
The Rice Program is not calling for new projects for 2010-11.
Key long-term strategies
The plan identifies six key objectives for the R&D investments to be made on behalf of the industry and the Australian Government. These are:
- Varietal and rice quality improvement - (50 per cent)
- Crop establishment, agronomy/crop physiology, nutrient management and precision agriculture - (10 per cent).
- Crop protection - (10 per cent)
- Farming systems for whole farm management, profit and sustainability - (15 per cent)
- Technology transfer, communication, policy and communities - (8 per cent)
- Human capital formation - (7 per cent).