GIG set to release research recommendations

The report, commissioned by a collective of grains industry representatives under the banner of the Grains Industry Group (GIG), is in final stages of drafting.

GIG chairman David Falconer said the strength of the review and resulting recommendations is that it represents a collaboration between all the major players in the grains industry.

He said that every turn in developing the suite of recommendations had involved the Grower Group Alliance, WAFarmers, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association, WA Grains Group, the Grains Industry Association of WA, the CSIRO, all the universities, the Australian Association of Agricultural Consultants and a representation from private grains R&D providers.

"We have also kept DAFWA and GRDC - our major funders - in the loop at all times throughout the process," he said.

Mr Falconer said this approach was central to producing a set of recommendations that had the support of all major leadership groups in the WA grains industry.

Grains industry consultant Ian Longson is the lead author, but a team of international collaborators was brought in to complete the review of relevant R&D models around the globe, in order to draw on the strengths and weaknesses of a range of institutions in delivering optimal grains R&D.

"We are working on ensuring our report has clear and concise messages that are easily read and understood by the readership and our intention is to have the document released for public comment on next week," Mr Falconer said.

"I am really proud of the process we have undertaken to arrive at this point.

"And most importantly for our industry, we can demonstrate the power of collaboration, when all leadership groups come together to address a single issue."