Australian Native Food
A component of RIRDC's New Plant Products Sub-Program

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

New website - Ausbushfoods Online http://www.ausbushfoods.com/

Native Food R & D Plan	Factsheets Labelling issues for native plant foods and similar products Food safety for native plant foods
Online Publications E-shop	Free downloadable research reports
Native Food Industry Information and useful web sites: Books Periodicals, Fact Sheets, Research projects and research papers Internet sites and email addresses Videos Organisations involved in the bushfood industry: General Nursery suppliers Bushfood processors Buyers of bushfoods

Objective:
RIRDC's key objective is to facilitate the development a profitable and environmentally sustainable plant-based Australian bushfood industry founded on an international reputation for the reliable supply of consistently safe and high quality food backed by effective and imaginative promotional and educational material, and that recognises Aboriginal culture, food practices and involvement. (See also the full set of industry objectives in the Nartive Food R & D Plan.

Key sub-program strategies

• Support preliminary market and technical feasibility studies.
• Identify, evaluate, test market and develop species, varieties, processes or products with prospects of commercial viability.
• Develop integrated production, harvesting, processing and marketing systems.
• Foster the development of policy, infrastructure and R&D plans and initiatives to underpin industry growth.

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. Frequently, the research and development needs of these smaller industries are just as demanding as those of the larger established industries.

The program has six components:

• native food (previously known as bushfoods);
• culinary herbs, spices and beverages;
• extractive and fibre crops;
• prospective fruit, vegetable and nut crops, including cashews;
• prospective grain and pulse crops; and
• miscellaneous crops and activities.

The Corporation views the program as a seed-bed or nursery in which stand-alone programs of the future can be germinated and raised. The program also provides a means of supporting commercially viable but intrinsically small rural industries.

Achievements for 1998-99

• Obtained industry support for the Corporation’s R&D plan for bushfood and appointed an industry advisory panel to assist in addressing the plan’s objectives. Initiated projects on baobab tubers and novel, value-added products from bushfoods.
• Extended support for the AustralianNew Crops Newsletter, an increasingly important source of information and awareness on new crops.
 

• Initiate research concerned with bushfoods in line with agreed industry R&D needs and priorities.

Expected key outputs in 1999–2000

• Published reports on: market strategies for bushfood; a blue print for a bushfood industry database;
• All published reports to be available on RIRDC’s website.
• Publication of research findings in industry journals such as the Australian Bushfood Magazine;
• Publication of technical abstracts in the Australian New Crops Newsletter.

Expected key outcomes in 1999–2000

• Better targeted investment in prospective industries as a result of providing market analyses for bushfoods, olives, non-wood fibres and jojoba.