Partnership's new boost to primary industry innovation

February 28, 2007

The NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, visited the University of New England yesterday to formally announce that his Department would co-fund, with UNE, the new position of Director of the Primary Industries Innovation Centre for the next five years.

Mr Macdonald said that the appointment of a Director was central to ensuring that the Centre, which is based at UNE, continued to deliver agricultural innovation in Australia.

"Today’s announcement is an important milestone that will ensure the continued success of the Primary Industries Innovation Centre (PIIC) well into the future," Mr Macdonald said. "The decision to jointly fund and appoint a Director for the Centre signals an overwhelming commitment by the NSW Government and UNE to remain at the front of the race to develop solutions to the problems facing our farmers.

"The success of the PIIC since its inception two years ago has been exceptional. So far, research projects completed by the Centre’s scientists have made significant inroads into a huge range of research areas – from molecular genetics and bio-fuels through to livestock management and climate change. The scope of the Centre justifies a full-time Director to ensure even greater value from the partnership between the State Government and UNE."

"Innovation is the only way our farming businesses can stay internationally competitive," Mr Macdonald added, "and I am certain the PIIC will deliver innovation in spades."

The Centre – a partnership between DPI and UNE – brings together researchers and practitioners from a wide variety of backgrounds and disciplines in both organisations to tackle major questions using a multidisciplinary approach.

Mr Macdonald said that DPI and UNE would shortly advertise the position of Director. "The Director’s role will be to provide leadership for the Centre’s researchers and extension and education staff, and to seek out new opportunities to ensure continued expansion and innovation," he said.

Current PIIC projects include research in identifying high-production traits in animals, determining economic returns on investment in bio-fuels, and identifying risk factors of climate variability for mixed faming practices. There are also four co-funded PhD projects – in crop production, cereal quality, integrated pest management, and responsible resource use.

THE PHOTOGRAPH of Mr Macdonald (left) and the Chancellor of UNE, Mr John Cassidy, displayed here expands to include (to Mr Macdonald's left) UNE's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alan Pettigrew, and (to Mr Cassidy's right) the Director-General of the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Mr Barry Buffier. The photograph was taken yesterday at UNE.

Posted by Jim Scanlan at February 28, 2007 04:52 PM