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Reaping the Rewards of Innovation—RIRDC’s Rice R&D Program
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February 2006 ForewordRIRDC Publication No 06/017
By The Hon. Sussan Ley
The profitability, competitiveness and sustainability of Australian farmers are underpinned by research and development. Both government and industry recognise how critical R&D is, which is why we partner through our research and development corporations to drive rural innovation.
Australia’s rice industry – based mainly in the Murrumbidgee and Murray Valleys of southern New South Wales – has harvested major returns from its investment in innovation. Our rice industry is one of the most productive and efficient in the world. Australia’s producers work with government to fund innovation and rapidly adopt it.
The RIRDC Rice R&D program is an excellent example of targeted R&D yielding dividends for rice growers and the broader community.
The program has a record of success in innovations that increases the competitiveness and sustainability of the industry. There are two main highlights: new varieties that give Australian growers the edge in international markets; and technology that dramatically increases the efficiency of water use.
RIRDC’s rice R&D program
has delivered consistently high benefits for industry and the broader community.
When the Centre for International Economics evaluated 157 projects they
found:
The research results
in this report underline the benefits of focussed R&D for rice growers
and the community; they show an Australian rice industry that is innovative,
focussed, progressive and successful.
Innovative, resourceful, resilient and totally committed – in many ways the Australian rice industry epitomises Australia’s rural industries.
Despite difficult years due to decreased water availability, the ongoing challenges of rising costs, global competition and unstable markets, the rice industry continues to achieve. That achievement is underpinned by innovation driven by research, development and extension! RIRDC’s role is to invest in and manage R&D that meets industry and government priorities for a profitable, sustainable and dynamic rice industry. This book, Rice—Reaping the rewards of innovation shows how RIRDC and the rice industry are meeting challenges through innovation.
Together, RIRDC and the rice industry are facing enormous challenges and succeeding, through innovation, as many of the articles in this book, Rice – Reaping the Rewards of Innovation, attest.
RIRDC’s investment has helped the rice industry to radically improve its water use efficiency. It has supported the development of the six commercially viable rice varieties grown in Australia. It continues to seek environmentally friendly pest controls, to develop technologies for soil selection, and to assist in the creation of a knowledge environment across the industry.
The rice industry is proactive in identifying and profiling new markets.
It has exceptional ability to prioritise and articulate its specific research requirements such as new varieties to meet consumer needs, cold tolerant rice to boost yield, and water saving mechanisms to meet environmental requirements. The industry is cohesive and inclusive. Through the Rice Growers’ Association and other networks it is outstanding at rapidly converting new research outcomes into standard industry practice.
Australia’s rice industry co-invests with Government in research and development. Both know that innovation is the key driver of productivity growth. In 2005, the Productivity Commission reported on a tight connection between research and development and productivity growth.
It observed that the rural sector contributes more than double its share of productivity growth to the Australian economy. The rice industry earns its share of this accolade.
Achievement of RIRDC’s specific objective—to maximise the contribution of our research and development investments to the profitability, sustainability and resilience of rural industries and communities— is exemplified by its partnership with the Australian rice industry.
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