Research plan helps deliver agricultural strategy

The Newman Government has released its agricultural research, development and extension (RD&E) plan, which will support its election commitment of doubling agricultural production by 2040.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry John McVeigh said the previous Labor Government had ignored agriculture for 20 years, while we have made it a focus and one of the four pillars of our economy.

“The Newman Government is focussed on revitalising agriculture and our RD&E plan is one way in which we are supporting this vital sector’s growth.”

“Funding RD&E to develop knowledge and new technologies is a fundamental component of the innovation process.

“The extension services are also critical as technologies are adopted at a grassroots level.

“This RD&E plan is a key component of Queensland’s agriculture strategy and sets the direction to help steer the next wave of productivity growth in this key industry.

“This new plan is linked into the National Primary Industries Research Development and Extension Framework that encourages greater collaboration, preventing duplication and promoting continuous improvement nationally.

“Therefore we will focus on the areas where Queensland has a competitive advantage, including beef production, sugarcane, subtropical forests, summer cereal grains, tropical and subtropical horticulture.”

Minister McVeigh said clever research and development could lead to lower production costs, better yields, greater sustainability, more efficient resource allocation and new market opportunities for Queensland producers.

“Our future research will include innovative projects like the ‘small tree-high productivity’ (STHP) initiative, one of the biggest research projects in horticulture in many years,” he said.

“The focus is on the big Queensland crops such as mango, macadamia and avocado and increasing their genetic potential for maximum yield output. Smaller trees are easier and quicker to harvest than the big trees that these crops are traditionally grown on. 

“Researchers are looking at dwarfing rootstocks, pruning techniques, tree architecture and traditional breeding, helped by the latest molecular technology, all of which will help to keep trees small for optimised harvesting with very high yields per hectare.

The RD&E plan is available online by visiting http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/

[ENDS] 1 November 2013

Media Contact: Lachlan Millar 0407 394 580