FOSTERING INNOVATION FOR THE AUSTRALIAN SUGAR INDUSTRY: SRDC’S PORTFOLIO PERFORMANCE AND PROSPECTS

The Sugar Research and Development Corporation (SRDC) has invested $108 m of industry and Government funding for Research and Development (R&D) from 1990 to 2001 to foster an internationally competitive and sustainable Australian sugar industry. Key industry outcomes delivered from that investment are presented. In addition, SRDC has contributed to R&D performance by: significantly increasing funds available for R&D; increasing the involvement of new R&D providers to the sugar industry and enhancing collaboration; increasing accountability for R&D expenditure; enhancing focus on outcomes; increasing investment in strategic R&D; and fostering greater industry involvement throughout the R&D process. The 21st century presents an increasingly complex operating environment. Not only is there the need to address profitability and competitiveness, but also there is a need to devote greater attention to resource use and environmental sustainability and to deliver economic, environmental and social outcomes. Responding to this complexity presents immense opportunity for R&D to underpin the continued success of the Australian sugar industry. New opportunities will be realised by using whole of system multidisciplinary approaches to integrate across the growing, harvesting, transport and milling and marketing sectors. Systems solutions will be underpinned both by the use of novel technologies that increase productivity and efficiency, and value-add to the sugar system, and by the development of processes and human capacity to implement change considering the sugar system as a whole. In shaping its future R&D investment portfolio, SRDC will continue to take a strategic view of these needs and opportunities, and encourage and fund appropriate research to meet the expectations of its industry, Government and community stakeholders.