Applications for RIRDC funding for 2008-09 are now CLOSED
Click here for  information on the application process, and to apply for RIRDC scholarships
 
 

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.

Research Manager: Jane Fisher - Phone (02 ) 6271 4149, Email: jane.fisher@rirdc.gov.au

Contact for the Australian Rural Leadership Program: 
Mr John Quantrill, Phone: (02) 6281 0680 Fax: (02) 6285 4676 Email: arlp@iacom.com.au
 

RIRDC Human Capital, Communications and Information Systems Research Results:
Research reports for sale	Free downloadable research reports
Handbook of New Industries entries	Free Short Reports (research sumaries)
Completed Projects in 2005-2006 & Research in Progress as at June 2006
Farm Occupational Health & Safety Plan
Capacity Building for Innovation in Rural Industries Cooperative Venture
About the Capital, Communications and Information Systems  Research Program:
Strategies for 2006-2007	Key longterm strategies
Background	Expected key outcomes in 2006-2007
Expected key outputs in 2006-2007	Total program budget 2006-2007
New Projects funded in 2006-2007
Industry related links:

Farming in a Regional Context 

Investigate non-agricultural and regional infrastructure activities and issues and their relationship to the agricultural sector in a regional context

Investigate how changes in demographic and land ownership are impacting on interrelationships between farming and physical and social infrastructure (e.g. education and schooling, community support services)

Rural Society
Assess the social impact and opportunities resulting from physical, technological, demographic and structural changes in rural and regional Australia and identify factors that would contribute to their amelioration or realisation (would include aspects of keeping people in rural areas, farm labour, farm succession etc)

Explore the use of non-profit decision drivers (e.g. individual preferences and lifestyles, local resource recognition and culture and land attachment) to manage and adapt to change (as opposed to traditional efficiency and market considerations)
 

Learning Systems
Research different approaches to training and extension, learning through groups, support to implementation after training, and methods to encourage continuous interaction and learning processes and cultures
 
• Develop and promote the use of broadband and other electronic and information/communication 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 Strategies for 2007–08
Implement Rural People and Learning Systems Five Year Plan

Investigate the regional impact that changes in non-agricultural and regional infrastructure have on the agricultural sector

Identify factors that would contribute to the amelioration of demographic and structural change in rural and regional Australia

Explore how non-profit decision drivers (e.g. individual preferences and lifestyles, local resource recognition and culture and land attachment) can be used to manage and adapt to change

Investigate the impact and application of innovative communication technologies on agricultural industries and rural communities

Expected key outputs for 2007–08

• Bridging the gap between theory and practice; a commercialization case study that has documents a "public good commercialisation model" built around a wetting front detector a tool that can improve the management of water, salt and nutrients
• Small farms as valued contributors to healthy rural communities, an analysis of the positive and negative roles that this emerging group plays in the landscape
• Auditing policies, practices and outcomes linking professional training to work in rural and regional Australia, which discusses how mining and food and beverage industries in rural and regional Australia are currently dealing with recruitment and retention of staff

Contact for Cooperative Venture for Human Capacity Building Mr John McKenzie
Phone: 02 6366 5000 (mob: 0402 018 318
Fax: 02 6366 5142
Email: mckenzj@ix.net.au

Contact for Australian Rural Leadership Program: Dr Steve Clark
Phone: 02 6281 0680
Fax: 02 6285 4676
Email: info@arlp.net.au

Contact for Rural Women’s Award:
Ms Edwina Clowes
Phone: 07 5476 1211
Fax: 07 5476 1311
Email: clowesedwina@bigpond.com

Research Budget: $1,685,000

AgFacts - Agricultural information from around Australia

Computer hardware for primary producers  (QDPI Notes)
Loans for Landcare - effluent management and utilisation  (QDPI Notes)
Ownership and operating costs of farm machinery  (QDPI Notes)
Avoid trouble from bees (AGWEST Farmnotes)