Australia’s Agri-food Innovation Ecosystem
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The document discusses the strengths and weaknesses of Australia's agri-food innovation ecosystem, emphasizing the need for improved productivity and adaptation to emerging global markets. It reflects on historical developments, highlights the roles of various organizations, and critiques the current system's limitations and fragmentation. The need for a more cohesive innovation approach and the potential of technology-driven agricultural practices are also addressed.
![Some strengths of the Australian agri-
food innovation system
Continuing strengths in metrics of scientific publication.
Rural Research & Development Corporations (RDCs) [and
historically rural industry CRCs]
Private sector advisory services (often growing out State
based extension services)
CSIRO [ca 30% agri-food or closely related] – globally
significant in scale and structure
A suite of strong Universities in the agri-food domain
ACIAR – linking Australian agricultural R&D to the
developing world](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/annex3presentationbybriankeatingdec2016-170607114219/85/Australia-s-Agri-food-Innovation-Ecosystem-23-320.jpg)
![Some reflection on how we got to
where we are …
A commodity exporting ag economy (rather that a value add processing
economy) [Note: Domestic market growing and subject to open
competition]
A “science centric” innovation system based on a tradition of public
science investment (in the national interest). Well funded from 50’s to
80’s but declining support since then.
An “on-farm” focus on adapting crops/livestock/technologies and
practices to Australian conditions, with some unique features (poor soils,
climate variability).
Since the early 1990’s, introduction of the RDCs to aid coordination and
focus R&D on industry needs. Initially a funder at the margin but never
designed to be a central funder that leverages the bulk of the system.
CSIRO has returned to its foundations to focus on national priorities
requiring an “at scale/multi-disciplinary” response – “Innovation
Catalyst” aspiration.
In 21st Century we find a different world
Australian agri-food businesses have never had an opportunity of the same
significance as the current developments in Asia.
Markets, knowledge, agri-business are more global in nature and we face
global scale challenges](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/annex3presentationbybriankeatingdec2016-170607114219/85/Australia-s-Agri-food-Innovation-Ecosystem-26-320.jpg)
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Australia’s Agri-food Innovation Ecosystem
- 1. Australia’s Agri-food Innovation Ecosystem Brian Keating Canberra Workshop 14th December 2016
- 2. Aims Introduce (very briefly) visitors to Australian agriculture Propose some strengths and weaknesses of our agri-food innovation system – as a discussion starter only. Not speaking on CSIRO’s behalf … Reflections from 40 years in Australian agricultural R&D
- 4. We live in interesting times ....
- 5. Over 2 billion emerging middle class to our north
- 8. Productivity growth in Australian agriculture slowing ? “Productivity isn’t everything, but in the long run it is almost everything” - Paul Krugman, Nobel Prize winning economist 0 50 100 150 200 250 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 index,1977-78=100 Agricultural productivity Broadacre Cropping Mixed cropping-livestock Beef Sheep Dairy
- 9. Australia’s agri-food exports flat, imports rising ... Exports Net Exports Imports
- 10. Brazil’s explosive growth as a food exporter x 3
- 11. Technological drivers of Australian agriculture
- 12. Looking back – a century of wheat yield progress ?
- 14. Better adoption of existing technology IWM Soil & yield mapping DSS risk mgt Soil nutrient testing VRT fertiliser Break crops Timely sow Soil amel precision guidance Monitor Soil water Clean fallow SCF auto- steer No-till Control traffic Stubble retention VRT other 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 0 20 40 60 80 100 Futurepotialscaleofadoption Current scale of adoption Size of bubble = gains in grains productivity In Australia due to technologies or practices.
- 15. 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 Year Identify and clone major genes QTL pyramiding/Genomic selection GM – resGene cassettes, herbicide, nutrient-use efficiencies, apomictic hybrids GM - C4 photosynthesis, frost tolerance First linked markers Expected deployment of biotechnology in crop breeding
- 16. A Soil information from the new National Soil Grid (A) can be combined with locally (B) and remotely sensed (C) soil nutrient and moisture data to give farmers the information they need to analyse cropping options. Farmers can combine this information with climate data (D) and their own knowledge (E) to run model scenarios in the Cloud (F). This interactive system provides easy to understand farming options analysis (G). B C D F G Options Analysis Cropping Inputs Wheat Variety Scout Total Nitrogen Clay Content Water Holding Capacity Nhill – Harold’s Paddock (182.2 Ha) E D Wheat Yield (T/Ha)
- 17. Australia– not the food bowl but maybe the delicatessen of Asia?
- 19. Our economy-wide innovation track record is not good .... 10, 81 13, 66 11, 12 Global Rank : Innovation Inputs, Innovation Output Efficiency Australia NetherlandsNew Zealand
- 20. 100 years of evolution of a national agri-food innovation system Advisory Council of Science and Industry, 16 Nov 1917
- 21. The traditional view of Australia’s agri-food innovation system
- 22. An abbreviated history … Pre 1916 •State Departments of Agriculture •Some Uni Agriculture Professors 1916 - 1949 •CSIR (and predecessors) coordinate national system •States and “Sandstone” Uni’s active 1949 – 1985 •Rapid growth in CSIRO and State agencies •Industry funds directed to R&D institutions (at programmatic level) 1990’s •RDCs emerge (now 15), CRC’s emerge, More Uni’s engage in Ag R&D •States exit agricultural extension and squeeze R&D •Private sector advisory services emerge (in most industries) 1992 -2016 • RDC’s grow from project funding at margin to funding at core • CSIRO funding plateaux/decline but external funds “hold the line” • ACIAR commences • Various attempts to coordinate national ag research agenda (PISC/AGSOC) • Federal Departments set up a range of custom-built R&D Programs • CRC’s start to run out of momentum in agriculture, funding severely constrained, high transaction costs • Some highlights of public-private partnerships delivering sustained economic and environmental performance (eg Cotton)
- 23. Some strengths of the Australian agri- food innovation system Continuing strengths in metrics of scientific publication. Rural Research & Development Corporations (RDCs) [and historically rural industry CRCs] Private sector advisory services (often growing out State based extension services) CSIRO [ca 30% agri-food or closely related] – globally significant in scale and structure A suite of strong Universities in the agri-food domain ACIAR – linking Australian agricultural R&D to the developing world
- 24. Some possible weaknesses of the Australian agri-food innovation system Limited data and understanding on how the “system” is structured and functions. Locked into historical structures and approaches and limited openness to explore improved functionality. Most incentives drive “local optimisation”. Commodity RDC structures works against cross-cutting opportunities and value chain approaches. Social forces in RDC model can work against high-impact “tailored” solutions and novel public-private partnerships. Over-emphasis with “on-farm productivity” rather than whole of value chain profitability and marketability. Second wave of post State-based extension needs to be invented.
- 25. Some possible weaknesses of the Australian agri-food innovation system con’t. University sector has grown in significance but incentives remain largely around scientific publication. Political drivers promote sub-scale and fragmented initiatives that add to transaction costs. “Leverage game” taken to extremes that destroy overall system functionality. Long-term plateau/decline in public investment in science. Small domestic market and “branch office” status restricts private sector investment. Clear leadership often lacking at the government level (Commonwealth and State) and industry level (regions, States, National, industry components, on-farm/off-farm).
- 26. Some reflection on how we got to where we are … A commodity exporting ag economy (rather that a value add processing economy) [Note: Domestic market growing and subject to open competition] A “science centric” innovation system based on a tradition of public science investment (in the national interest). Well funded from 50’s to 80’s but declining support since then. An “on-farm” focus on adapting crops/livestock/technologies and practices to Australian conditions, with some unique features (poor soils, climate variability). Since the early 1990’s, introduction of the RDCs to aid coordination and focus R&D on industry needs. Initially a funder at the margin but never designed to be a central funder that leverages the bulk of the system. CSIRO has returned to its foundations to focus on national priorities requiring an “at scale/multi-disciplinary” response – “Innovation Catalyst” aspiration. In 21st Century we find a different world Australian agri-food businesses have never had an opportunity of the same significance as the current developments in Asia. Markets, knowledge, agri-business are more global in nature and we face global scale challenges
- 27. “Innovation happens when the ideas and resources of different organisations connect effectively. Systems are defined by their connections, and innovation systems link businesses with one another and with research organisations and government. Australia's innovation system is disconnected.” Mark Dodgson , Professor of Innovation Studies, University of Queensland Business School https://vimeo.com/44224654 One view - Innovation Ecosystem
- 28. “Innovation Ecosystem” view Adapted from A. Hall (2012) Partnerships in agricultural innovation - Who puts them together and are they enough? In OECD Conference on Improving Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation systems Technology triggers Market triggers Social triggers Environmental triggers Research Organisations Farm Enterprises Agri value chain actors Markets and Consumers “Go-between” Organisations Protocols Enabling Govt. Policy Environment Innovations of economic, environmental or social significance New capacity to innovate