CDU to develop Research Institute for Northern Agriculture and Drought Resilience with $4m federal funding boost

Charles Darwin University will develop an agriculture and drought research institute to increase local research capability in agronomy.

CHARLES Darwin University will establish a Research Institute for Northern Agriculture and Drought Resilience to increase local research capability in agronomy, the science of soil management and crop production.

The institute will be established through $4m of funding from the federal government, and link CDU with local Northern Territory businesses to expand critical research that will boost food security, sustainable agriculture and drought resilience.

Northern Territory senator Sam McMahon said the funding would provide a huge boost to Darwin and the whole Top End, and grow the skills of the Northern Territory’s agriculture workforce.

“Conducting this research in the Northern Territory means its findings can be tailored to meet the unique challenges of farming in Northern Australia,” Senator McMahon said.

“Whether it be drought or floods, Australia can be a tough place to farm, but regional Australians have overcome these challenges for generations.

“Enabling regional Australians to have a larger role in researching areas of critical importance to their communities will result in better outcomes. How we feed our population in future will remain a key challenge for Australia and the research conducted at CDU will go a long way to overcoming those challenges.”

The project is one of six sharing in nearly $20m through the first round of the government’s Regional Research Collaboration (RRC) Program. Federal Education Minister Alan Tudge said he wanted the “world-class research to be at the forefront of our economic and social success”. “We want the NT to be a big part of that,” he said.

“Our funding will support CDU to work with local industry partners to make their research more viable and targeted, boosting local businesses and creating jobs.

“Australia is a world leader in agricultural research and development, and this project will help the NT increase the efficiency and resilience of its agriculture sector.”

The institute will also allow students to pursue research projects and gain post-grad qualifications in the NT.

The government has invested $48.8m over four years in the RRC Program to boost research capacity in regional Australia. Round two is expected to open in 2022.

The RRC Program is being implemented in response to the National Regional, Rural and Remote Tertiary Education Strategy and is part of the government’s mission to strengthen the regional and remote tertiary education sector.