Overview
- A new five-year RD&E Plan will guide future investment in the rice industry: The AgriFutures Rice Program RD&E Plan 2027-2032 sets the direction for research, development and extension investments, with a focus on improving water productivity, farm profitability and innovation in a more water-constrained operating environment.
- Four priority areas will drive industry growth and resilience: The Plan focuses on productive and efficient rice systems; genetics, variety and product value; resilience, sustainability and operation; and adoption, capability and coordination. Together, these priorities aim to improve productivity, sustainability and industry competitiveness.
- Previous RD&E investments have delivered strong returns: Between 2021 and 2026, more than $56 million was invested across 63 projects, generating an estimated $202 million in industry value. The new Plan builds on successes such as the Rice Management Dashboard and advances through Rice Breeding Australia, while placing greater emphasis on translating research into on-farm outcomes.
A new five-year research, development and extension plan for Australian rice will put water productivity, farm profitability and innovation at the centre of future investments, as the industry faces tighter water availability and a lower production outlook.
AgriFutures Australia launched its Rice Program RD&E Plan 2027-2032 at Rice Connect 2026, setting the direction for investment on behalf of the industry.
Developed through broad industry consultation, the Plan involved more than 50 growers, advisers, researchers and industry stakeholders through workshops, interviews, surveys and targeted consultation.
AgriFutures General Manager Levied and Emerging Industries, Samantha Beresford said the new Plan was focused on practical outcomes and ensuring investments deliver value for growers.
“This Plan is about making sure every levy dollar is working towards more profitable production, better returns for every megalitre of water, stronger genetics and varieties and getting research into the hands of growers,” Ms Beresford said.
“We know the Australian rice industry is operating in a more constrained and complex environment, and the Plan recognises the enormous capability and opportunity ahead.”
The AgriFutures Rice Program RD&E Plan 2027-2032 has four priority areas:
- Productive and efficient rice systems – increasing returns per megalitre and strengthening the competitiveness of rice within water-constrained farming systems.
- Genetics, variety and product value – accelerating genetic gain and developing varieties and traits that perform under Australian conditions and meet market requirements.
- Resilience, sustainability and operation – strengthening the industry’s ability to manage climate, biosecurity and regulatory pressures.
- Adoption, capability and coordination – ensuring research is translated into outcomes for growers, while maintaining specialist capability and strengthening collaboration across the industry.
The new Plan builds on the significant gains made through the previous five-year RD&E program.
“From 2021 to 2026, AgriFutures invested more than $56 million across 63 rice RD&E projects,” Ms Beresford.
“An independent economic impact assessment found AgriFutures generated an estimated $202 million in value for the industry, delivering a return of approximately $4 for every dollar invested.
“The previous Plan supported advances in agronomy, irrigation, farming systems, crop protection and industry capability.
One example is the Rice Management Dashboard, which has improved access to data and decision-support tools for many growers and advisers across the industry.
“This is a great example of research translating into benefits for growers and industry. That is why the new Plan places an even stronger emphasis on connecting research and growers, and on measuring what changes on farm because of our investments.”
“Another excellent example from the previous Plan is the innovative work being done by Rice Breeding Australia. The team is developing better rice varieties for industry with more than 1,300 breeding lines currently being assessed in world-class facilities based in the Riverina NSW.
Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia outgoing Executive Director, Graeme Kruger said the new Plan reflects the priorities growers see as most important for the future success of the industry.
“Rice growers invest in RD&E because we know innovation is critical to the future of our industry. This Plan reflects the priorities growers have identified as most important and provides a practical pathway to improve productivity, profitability and sustainability across the rice sector.
“Importantly, it also positions the industry to build on its strong foundations and continue investing in the research, technology and people needed to support future generations of rice growers.”
Mr Kruger said the Plan would provide an important strong foundation for the next phase of industry leadership and collaboration.
“As leadership transitions within the Ricegrowers’ Association, the new RD&E Plan provides a clear direction for industry and a shared vision that incoming leaders can build upon in partnership with growers, AgriFutures Australia and the broader rice industry.”
AgriFutures will continue working with the rice industry to ensure RD&E investment remains responsive to industry challenges and opportunities and delivers meaningful outcomes to growers.
