Research & Development
Citrus Australia’s policy priorities include Research and Development, more specifically to ensure a commitment to ongoing support for matching agricultural R&D.
Planning for Future R&D
The current Citrus Industry Strategic Plan “Creating our future: A national strategy for the citrus industry 2006 – 2011” has guided activities over the past four years.
With the period of this plan nearing completion, and the significance of changes taking place in the R&D environment, it is an opportune time for the citrus industry to develop a R&D Investment Plan.
The new plan will direct industry investment in R&D over the next 5 years: 2012 - 2017. During this period, Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) will oversee Citrus R&D investment of between $25-30 million: comprising levy funds, voluntary contributions and matched funding from the Federal Government. For further information on levy investment see "Understanding your Levies".
A key change in the current context for R&D is the establishment of the National Horticulture Research Network (NHRN). Through this network, state agencies are consolidating and coordinating their approach to R&D. It is critical that the citrus industry has clearly defined priorities for R&D in order to guide direction of NHRN initiatives.
During the planning process it is intended to identify and prioritise industry issues and opportunities, providing valuable input to any consideration of a change in the levy rate and/or collection mechanism. It will also be important to consider what could be achieved with additional funds to invest in national R&D.
The plan will be underpinned by an analytical business case that identifies priority investment areas which are most likely to result in the greatest returns.
The R&D plan must consider the needs of various production regions and the full breadth of the supply chain. Extensive consultation will be undertaken in order to ascertain these needs and related actions that are required to take the industry forward.
Extensive industry consultation will be undertaken across all major citrus growing regions and with stakeholders along the full citrus supply chain. A broad range of consultation activities are scheduled throughout the planning process, including the following Regional Forums which have already been held:
- Queensland – February
- Riverland – March
- Riverina - April
- Murray Valley – May
- Western Australia - June
Feedback from the Citrus Export Forum held in February will also be incorporated into the plan.
A two-day National R&D Workshop will be held in June at the conclusion of the regional forums providing an opportunity to adequately challenge and provide further input into the draft plan which will then be developed and made available for further industry consultation.
Once the whole of industry has had the opportunity to comment on the draft plan, a revised version will then be submitted to the Citrus IAC and HAL, who will review and approve the final plan, which is scheduled for release at the Citrus Australia National Conference in October 2011.
An independent facilitator, Julie Haslett, has been engaged to guide the process of developing the Strategic R&D Investment Plan.
