WA announces $25m for ag research -it’s a way to attract more federal funding

The state government will support the Western Australian Agricultural Collaboration, a partnership of the state Department of Primary Industries, CSIRO, Curtin U, Murdoch U and UWA. The  collaboration will work on new technologies for grains, livestock and irrigation. There will be “a strong focus on postgrads and early career researchers and it “will position the state for more national research funding.”

Apparently, WA agricultural research “will now have a real opportunity to get back a fair share of grower funds and ensure research that is designed to meet the geographic and market conditions in WA.”

The funding follows announcements of $8.6m over four years for a health and life sciences industry strategy and $2.1m for antibiotic resistance research and paper tests for MS and Parkinsons (CMM April 7 and 11).

Ratings Agency S&P predicts a near $8bn surplus in the WA budget this month.