Climate Research Strategy for Primary Industries Contribution Agreement

Summary

Climate Research Strategy for Primary Industries (CRSPI) was a collaboration between the rural research and development corporations, CSIRO, state and territory governments and the Australian Government Department of Agriculture to develop agreed approaches to climate research for Australian primary industries. MLA will work with CRSPI partners, sharing knowledge and experience, to shape research investments so that they deliver maximum value for primary industries.

Objectives

This agreement was to participate in an unincorporated collaborative network to be known as the Climate Research Strategy for Primary Industries (CRSPI), established to coordinate knowledge exchange and where agreed to coordinate climate change research in primary industries related to climate research in primary industries within the National Primary Industries Research, Development and Extension Framework administered by Agriculture Senior Officials Committee. (AgSOC).

Key findings

Three key focus areas for collaboration have been identified:
Focus Area 1: Adaptation to a changing and variable climate.
Focus Area 2: Reducing emissions
Focus Area 3: Business & Policy.

These focus areas will be addressed through RDE collaboration and ensuring that relevant knowledge is shared among the partners and their constituents.

Benefits to industry

CRSPI provides a platform for government and industry research providers to coordinate their efforts to identify and stimulate opportunities for partner-led collaboration and investment. It also helps avoid wasteful duplication of work among partners to help limited R&D funds go further for the Australian agricultural industries.

MLA action

MLA is a member of the responsible for:
- Setting the strategic direction
- Oversight of the operations of the CRSPI Secretariat and Manager
- Overseeing the allocation of committed funding
- Guiding planning and coordination of CRSPI activities
- Reviewing the performance of the Strategy
- Promoting and representing CRSPI to its partners and external stakeholders

Future research

The expiry of the CRSPI Participant Agreement creates the opportunity for partners to re-evaluate and determine the optimum collaborative network structure for climate RD&A. This includes engagement in the development of new initiatives, Future Drought Fund and through the Research and Innovation Committee.