The Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia is seeking a suitably qualified organisation, individual or group of organisations to undertake a situational analysis study of the northern Australian broadacre cropping sector, including grains, oil and fodder products.

Beef, rice, horticulture, forestry, bush foods, aquaculture and health industries will also be studied.

Most of these industries have been studied many times over the years and trialed in many cases.

The CSIRO identified Katherine as an optimum area for growing rice back in the early 1950s.

Cotton growing has also been trialed at the Katherine research farm in past years although some people still fear the high water costs of growing the crop.

The purpose of the study is to identify key challenges and opportunities facing the northern Australian broadacre cropping industry, explore potential solutions and identify the most strategic research projects for further investment.

CEO Jed Matz said the Expression of Interest will guide a systematic and collaborative approach to prioritising, delivering, monitoring and evaluating research conducted by the CRCNA on the development of a broadacre cropping industry in northern Australia.

His organisation announced in November it had committed more than $4.3 million towards seven industry-led projects after an open funding call.

“This study will require extensive consultation and collaboration with all levels of the broadacre cropping sector including producers, industry organisations, researchers and government departments in Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland.”

The process and final report is intended to inform the CRCNA’s strategic research investments, assist with coordination of investment across the northern Australian broadacre cropping sector and improve strategic alignment across the research, policy and service delivery arms of the sector.

Mr Matz said the broadacre cropping situational analysis is one of eight industry situational analysis studies the CRCNA has committed to funding over the next 18-months.

Other sectors the CRCNA will examine include beef, rice, horticulture, forestry, bush foods, aquaculture and health industries.

The outcomes of these studies are expected to inform and support future R & D and investment planning for the industries involved, the CRCNA and the Australian, Qld, WA and NT governments.

The EOI form and details about the project are available via the CRCNA website www.crcna.com.au.

The EOI will close Friday, February 1, 2019.

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