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Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation
edited by Sarah Simpson and Peter Chudleigh – Agtrans Research
March 2003
RIRDC Publication No. 03/013 and RIRDC Project No. ANS-2A
1 Executive Summary
The purpose of the workshop
was to gather relevant parties together to further discuss the issues raised
in earlier reports, and gain some consensus on the next steps necessary
to assess the potential for a broadscale wattle seed industry.
The specific objectives of
the workshop were to:
A key principle driving
the workshop was its focus on revegetation of large tracts of land with
a broadscale wattle seed industry, not on a small industry with niche markets.
The papers presented covered broad considerations such as factors driving economic potential and industry opportunities. Other papers focused on genetics; health, nutrition and food processing markets; prospects for harvesting systems; and the implications of using Acacias for lowering water tables.
General discussion was wide
ranging until the workshop broke into four groups, each addressing one
of the following four topics:
As a result of these discussion
groups and a final plenary session the following conclusions and recommendations
were developed:
1. There is not sufficient
information currently available to make conclusions about the potential
for a broadscale wattle seed or Acacia industry. The most limiting factor
is knowledge about the nature or size of the markets that wattle seed may
be able to supply.
2. Large-scale agroforestry
industries are of most interest to the Joint Venture Agroforestry Program
(JVAP). Until the market prospects for wattle seed are more conclusively
addressed, it is difficult to assess whether a wattle seed industry could
grow to a broadscale industry.
3. The prospects for a broadscale wattle seed industry need to be assessed further before a decision to support R&D funding from JVAP for developing a wattle seed industry is made. In particular:
(a) a balance needs to be developed between developing a wattle seed industry per se, developing an “Acacia” industry where wattle seed is viewed as an opportunistic by-product, and other commercial prospects for non-Acacia perennial species that address sustainability issues.
(b) a decision will need to be made by the Rural Industries R&D Corporation (RIRDC) as to whether JVAP, or the sub-program based on bush foods is the most appropriate funding source for R&D.
4. To assist with these decisions, and to further the development of a wattle seed industry, it is recommended that further R&D activity should be undertaken in phases.
5. The first phase should consist of the following research activities:
(a) An urgent consideration should be a marketing study that establishes current and future demand for certain food ingredients, including community health needs and diet preferences. A part of this would be the size and value of particular markets that could potentially be serviced by wattle seed eg mung beans, chickpeas etc. Such a study should include not only products from the seed, but also other parts of the tree such as gum exuded from the trunk, the seed pods and the leaves. Both human and animal nutrition markets should be considered.
(b) At the same time, an initial scientific analysis of the nutritional and functional constituents of selected species should be undertaken to determine which of the potential markets identified can be serviced by wattle seed or other Acacia products.
(c) A review of the legislative and regulatory aspects of developing food ingredients will also be essential as part of this first phase of research.
(d) In keeping with an integrated systems approach, desk-top research should continue on the nature and economics of potential production systems. Variables to be considered would include establishment, layout, density, plant shape, harvesting mechanism, fertiliser and pest control.
6. Following the completion of these Phase 1 research activities, a decision should be made as to whether further industry development of any type is feasible. If it is determined there is some potential, a decision should be made as to the potential market or markets to be targeted, and the potential size and likely value of these markets. This will determine the nature of any further research, and whether that research is appropriately funded through JVAP or through some other sub-program. It is recommended that breeding or field trials would be delayed until the Phase 1 studies have been completed, and potential target markets have been identified.
7. If appropriate, once the target market(s) has been determined, and if the overall prospects for market penetration and commercial profitability appear favourable, a systems based research program focusing on species selection and breeding for nutritional and growth characteristics should be undertaken. Selection should consider not only the required nutritional characteristics, but also the desired tree shape and water use characteristics. This breeding program should include field trials.
8. Once it has been determined what tree shape is possible within an envisaged production system, a mechanical harvester and planting system should be developed that maximises cost efficiencies, as well as sustainability benefits. It may be preferable to design the harvester in conjunction with Step 7 above.
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