High tech opening for $15m agriculture research hub

Agricultural research in Narrabri will move into a new era following the official unveiling of the $15.2 million International Centre of Crop and Digital Agriculture at the University of Sydney’s I.A. Watson Grains Research Centre.

To mark the occasion of opening a cutting-edge facility, the traditional ribbon cutting ceremony with invited dignitaries had a high tech twist through the use of drones.

Collaboration has been at the core of the centre’s development.

The research facility has been delivered in a partnership consisting of the NSW government, University of Sydney, Australian Grain Technologies (AGT), Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and NSW Wheat Research Foundation.

Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW Tara Moriarty officially opened the centre and said the facility will enable Australian industry to grow more resilient crops essential for feeding future Australians.

“The International Centre of Crop and Digital Agriculture in Narrabri cements NSW’s reputation as a regional, national and international agricultural research hub for ground-breaking grain research,” Ms Moriarty said.

The International Centre of Crop and Digital Agriculture was made possible by $10.5 million from the NSW government, $1.7 million from the University of Sydney, $1.5 million from AGT, $1 million from GRDC and $500,000 from the NSW Wheat Research Foundation.

Addressing media gathered at the official opening, Ms Moriarty praised the facility and the pivotal role it will play in agricultural research.

“The research that will occur at this facility in Narrabri will be a game changer for the industry,” she said.

Ms Moriarty said the partners involved in the facility’s construction have invested in the research needed to make sure agriculture is the best that it can possibly be and to make sure the industry is sustainable into the future.

The University of Sydney’s dean of the faculty of science, Professor Marcel Dinger was among the speakers at Tuesday’s celebration and said the research conducted at the facility will be wide-ranging.

“It is a real testament to the strength of our partnerships – our partnership here with the local community and, most importantly, to the agricultural industry,” Prof Dinger said.

“It is fair to take a moment to feel proud of what we’ve achieved here today. This is only the beginning. We have big aspirations for this building and how it will support our research.”

NSW Wheat Research Foundation chair Rob Long said the state-of-the-art laboratories and offices are a massive boost for grains research in regional Australia.

“Located on WRF’s owned I.A. Watson Grains Research Centre, leased to University of Sydney for over 60 years, these new facilities complement the research farm which plants over 40,000 irrigated plots every year on Narrabri’s rich vertosol clay soils,” Mr Long said.

“What an enticement for post graduate students, national and international researchers and industry leaders to come together in Narrabri for the purpose of improving crop performance for Australian farmers.

“WRF led this building project and there are plans for additional future collaborative developments.”

Mr Long described the new Narrabri facilities as “architecturally and functionally excellent” with its saw-tooth roof reflecting the backdrop of the Nandewar Ranges.

“Our vision for this association is to continually evolve and for the WRF to provide a platform for the university and industry to interact and prosper,” he said.

Mr Long told the gathering the Narrabri facility is owned by growers in perpetuity and bound by the WRF trust deed. This arrangement ensures the farm can not be sold, cut up or used for purposes other than grains research.

Mr Long also paid tribute to the project partners, architects and construction staff as well as university staff.

He made particular mention of the University of Sydney’s Narrabri-based director northern agriculture Guy Roth as well as the WRF’s Katrina Swift.

“His vision, along with Katrina, was to write the recipe for the concept that we now see in front of us,” Mr Long said of Mr Roth.

GRDC chair John Woods joined fellow project partners in spruiking the new facility’s boost to agricultural research.

“With our long-standing relationships with each partner, we are pleased to contribute to this opportunity where, on behalf of our growers, we can co-invest in a world class facility, and deliver long-term research outcomes in northern NSW and benefit Australian grain growers,” Mr Woods said.

“We appreciate the NSW government recognising the need for an industry-led approach to improving and expanding the research capacity in Narrabri which is one of the state’s oldest, most strategically important and successful centres.”

AGT chair Robert DiMonte told the gathering the new facilities provided an opportunity for the company to grow its presence at the Narrabri site.

“We continue to grow and continue to employ many people at this facility,” he said.

“Since our inception 21 years ago, AGT has delivered over $1.6 billion in additional value to the farmers who have grown our varieties. That’s quite significant in terms of the value add that we provide.”

State Member for Barwon Roy Butler, who was among the official party at Tuesday’s celebrations, echoed similar comments about the new centre’s role in agriculture and made particular mention of the importance of food security as a nation.

“Having the ability to grow more resilient crops that gives us more produce and uses less very expensive chemicals, that has to be a winner,” Mr Butler said.