12 Nov 2018
The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is holding its inaugural senior scientist symposium at the world class Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI) this week, celebrating excellence and planning for the future.
NSW DPI Deputy Director General, Research Excellence John Tracey said he is delighted to welcome DPI’s leading scientists from across all divisions to this meeting of minds.
"NSW DPI plays a leading role in meeting the challenges facing primary industries in NSW and across Australia and our science underpins the growth, sustainability and biosecurity of all NSW primary industries," he said.
"Since our inception in 1890, we have worked with industry and other research organisations making vital contributions to Australia’s economic growth in primary industries, the sustainable use of our natural resources, and our competitiveness internationally.
"Today, we are the largest provider of science and research services within the NSW Government, and indeed the largest agricultural research institute in Australia. Our research is ranked in the top 1% of institutes globally in the fields of agricultural and plant and animal sciences, as well as environment and ecology."
The group of scientists will hear from keynote speaker, Chief Scientist Hugh Durrant-Whyte as well as discuss future research directions, aimed at meeting some of the mega trends identified globally.
Topics for discussion include:
- Synthetic biology and genetics
- Nanotechnology and sensor technology - early detection and even treatment of plant and animal diseases
- Robotics, machine learning - eg drone swarms to identify and treat weeds
- Big data - large datasets and latest technologies to collect store and analyse data to improve the management of our agricultural and environmental systems
"This is a time of unprecedented disruption and opportunity — globalisation, urbanisation, demographic shifts, climate change, and internet proliferation are all factors shaping NSW primary industries the 21st century," Dr Tracey said.
"In the face of these disruptions and opportunities, we must be visionary if we are to ensure NSW remains a leader in primary industries.
"I have every confidence that this group of science leaders, together with our entire science group of over 700 people, will strive to maintain and enhance our research capacity and culture of innovation to deliver improvements in primary production and natural resource management, and science based solutions to industry and policy."
For vision of the keynote address,
