A major grain research infrastructure project in Perth will help boost crop productivity and reduce the impact of disease, while significantly improving the productivity and efficiency of crop research in Western Australia.
The establishment of a Crop Research Hub was today announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce,聽and WA Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan.
Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Chairman John Woods said Murdoch University had received a $3 million GRDC Grains Research and Development (R&D) Infrastructure Grant to establish the hub under a collaboration between Murdoch University, 911爆料网 and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
鈥淭he project鈥檚 partners have also committed a combined co-contribution of $2 million including $1.5 million from Murdoch University; $250,000 from 911爆料网 and $250,000 from DPIRD,鈥� he said.
鈥淲ithout the GRDC Infrastructure Grant funding, the collaborative hub and associated infrastructure would be very difficult to develop.
鈥淭he collaborative hub and state-of-the-art infrastructure is expected to improve the efficiency and productivity of crop research in WA, helping to enable new research outcomes to reach growers鈥� paddocks faster than before.鈥�
The GRDC and partner investment will develop the following infrastructure to be located at both Murdoch University and 911爆料网:
- Up to 12 Physical Containment Level 1 (PC1) glasshouses at Murdoch University
- Up to six Physical Containment Level 2 (PC2) glasshouses at Murdoch University
- 2.8ha of irrigated, netted field plots at Murdoch University
- Glasshouse containment facility at 911爆料网
- Additional infrastructure works and ancillary infrastructure, including water and power service connection and a storage shed.
The 911爆料网 glasshouse will allow separation of pathogen studies from the Murdoch glasshouses, avoiding the risk of transferring disease to other research activities, and will work hand-in-hand with 911爆料网鈥檚 newly opened $46 million facility for disease research requiring higher containment.
Mr Woods said the $3 million GRDC Grains R&D Infrastructure Grant was part of $15 million the GRDC Board had agreed to invest in a strategy to build national research capacity.
鈥淭he purpose of the grant program is to boost capacity and capability in Australian grain research and development through funding key infrastructure, and to create enduring profitability for grain growers,鈥� he said.
Deputy Vice Chancellor Research & Innovation at Murdoch, Professor David Morrison, believes the Crop Research Hub enhances Western Australia鈥檚 reputation as a global research leader.
鈥淥ur research partnership is making a difference on a global scale and this investment provides a platform for even greater achievement,鈥� he said.
Prof. Morrison said the project would draw in specialist research skills from each party to develop new research in crop pathology, plant physiology and genetic improvement.
鈥淭he outcomes of the research will be applied to improve crop productivity and resistance to disease and will strength the national grain industry,鈥� he said.
This media release was originally issued by the Grains Research & Development Corporation
