A researcher’s guide to Australia’s agriculture and food ecosystem

When it comes to making meaningful impacts in agriculture and food innovation, Australia’s research ecosystem is brimming with opportunities for local and international researchers. grow^AG.’s research guide to Australia’s agriculture and food ecosystem serves as an essential resource for international researchers and organisations looking to navigate Australia’s research landscape and forge meaningful collaborations.

Australia’s research ecosystem

Australia’s agricultural research landscape represents a substantial economic commitment, with combined public and private investment reaching US$1.59 billion in 2022-23. This investment includes US$906 million in public funding from federal and state governments and universities, complemented by US$686 million in private funding. Studies have consistently demonstrated the significant return on this investment, estimating that every $1 spent on agricultural R&D yields almost $8 in returns for farmers over a 10-year period.

At the heart of this ecosystem are the Rural Research and Development Corporations (RDCs), which have been driving agricultural advancements since 1989. These organisations facilitate co-investment between the Australian government and primary producers, creating benefits that extend to industry stakeholders and regional communities alike. The Australian research landscape includes 15 RDCs – 5 Commonwealth statutory bodies and 10 industry-owned companies – collectively investing approximately US$550 million annually.

However, Australia’s research ecosystem doesn’t stop at RDCs. It also encompasses numerous Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs), federal government agencies like the CSIRO, state-based agricultural departments, university research hubs, private sector R&D programs, and technology incubators.

While such a diverse and extensive research environment offers tremendous opportunities, it can be tricky to navigate the maze of funding options, partnership structures, regulations, and paths to commercialisation in Australia’s agricultural innovation space.

The solution: The grow^AG. Research Guide

The grow^AG. research guide simplifies the pathway for local and international researchers by providing comprehensive insights into Australia’s unique research landscape. The guide is designed to help researchers identify opportunities, establish partnerships, and access programs to foster collaboration and growth.

The guide offers several valuable resources including detailed profiles of each RDC, a map illustrating the Australian agriculture and food research landscapes, five distinct pathways for engaging with research entities and intellectual property considerations.

The RDC profiles summarise their industry focus areas, strategic research priorities, and preferred investment models. These profiles help researchers identify which RDCs align with their research areas and expertise.

The Australian agriculture and food research maps serve as navigational tools, helping researchers pinpoint potential collaborators and understand the complex relationships between various public and private institutions in the Australian research environment.

To grow research in Australia, an outline of five distinct pathways are provided highlighting actionable steps for researchers to take to begin building meaningful collaborations. These included collaborating with RDCs, Cooperative Research Centres, partnering with universities, or accessing government grants, incentives & assistance.

Intellectual property considerations are an essential consideration for international researchers looking to enter the Australian market. The benefits of establishing IP in Australia, the types of IP researchers should consider and specific considerations for research collaboration with universities and businesses are all outlined in the guide.

Success stories from the field

FutureFeed, a partnership between CSIRO, Meat and Livestock Australia, and James Cook University, is one example of collaboration featured in the research guide.

This collaboration created a livestock feed ingredient from native Australian Asparagopsis seaweed that reduces cattle methane emissions by over 80%. Launched as a company in 2020 with US$9.34 million in investment from Woolworths, GrainCorp, Harvest Road, and AGP Sustainable Real Assets- SparkLabs Cultiv8, FutureFeed now licenses seaweed growers across the globe.

FutureFeed, a partnership between CSIRO, Meat and Livestock Australia, and James Cook University, is one example of collaboration featured in the research guide.

This collaboration created a livestock feed ingredient from native Australian Asparagopsis seaweed that reduces cattle methane emissions by over 80%. Launched as a company in 2020 with US$9.34 million in investment from Woolworths, GrainCorp, Harvest Road, and AGP Sustainable Real Assets-SparkLabs Cultiv8, FutureFeed now licenses seaweed growers across the globe.

The innovation was recognised with the Food Planet Prize and demonstrated commercial viability by producing the world’s first lower-emission steaks in 2021. If adopted by just 10% of global producers, it would equal removing 100 million cars from roads while potentially feeding an additional 23 million people – showcasing how Australia’s research ecosystem can transform scientific breakthroughs into global solutions.

As global agricultural challenges intensify due to climate change, population growth, and resource constraints, successful research collaboration examples like these demonstrate what can be achieved. By providing a clear roadmap to Australia’s research ecosystem, the guide empowers Australian and international researchers to contribute to and benefit from one of the world’s most innovative agricultural sectors.

To explore these opportunities further, the complete guide is available to download from growag.com.

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