The Australian Research Council (ARC) Chief Executive Officer Ms Judi Zielke PSM launched the ARC Training Centre for Future Crops Development in Canberra on Tuesday 2 May 2023.
Led by The Australian National University, the ARC Training Centre aims to create a nationwide industrial capability that will accelerate crop genetic improvement to transform the agricultural industry's growth and capability, while delivering benefits to consumers and the economy by creating better and more reliable food sources and improving prospects for rural communities.
Ms Zielke said the ARC Training Centre will address the current global and nationwide setbacks in crop improvement, by developing and applying emerging innovative technologies, and creating an ongoing open-access and socially aware technological facility for crop genome engineering.
"Through research-led training and engagement in ethical, social, regulatory and market issues that align emerging technologies with society's needs, the ARC Training Centre will help create a crop sector that rapidly converts innovation into social, economic and productivity benefits for industry, rural communities, and society," Ms Zielke said.
The ARC Training Centre connects industry partners with interdisciplinary researchers and students as future research leaders through a structured, intergenerational research and translation environment, working collaboratively with 7 research partners and 12 industry partners.
The ARC is investing $5 million over 5 years in the Training Centre for Future Crops Development, supported by $13.8 million in funding and in-kind support from other university and industry partners.
