About AgriFutures Australia

Rice Industry Field Day, Old Coree, Jerilderie, NSW. Photo Zowie Crump co AgriFutures Australia

Investing in research, innovation, and leadership to strengthen our rural industries and regional communities.

AgriFutures Australia is one of 15 Research and Development Corporations (RDCs) that service the Research, Development and Extension (RD&E) needs of Australian rural industries. We represent the research needs for 13 thriving rural industries (chicken meat, rice, honey bee and pollination, ginger, tea tree oil, pasture seeds, export fodder, thoroughbred horses, kangaroo, buffalo, deer, goat fibre and ratite), delivering research and innovation that aims to give our farmers and producers real returns, as well as prepare them to thrive into the future.

With a head office in Wagga Wagga, NSW, we have a unique role among the RDCs as well as representing our 13 levied industries, we are responsible for:

Investing in research, development and extension which aims to drive the growth and development of emerging, high-potential agricultural rural industries such as sesame, industrial hemp and seaweed.
Developing and delivering programs that respond to the specific workforce and leadership needs of those working in the Australian agricultural sector.
Delivering programs that future-proof Australian rural industries by identifying and responding to national challenges and opportunities which impact the Australian agricultural sector.
Engaging with the global agrifood innovation system to ensure Australia is a leader in accessing, adopting, developing and exporting agrifood technologies and innovation.

Australian Government

Our partnership with the Australian Government means we work together to explore and respond to national challenges and opportunities which impact the Australian agricultural sector.
Australian Chicken Meat Federation

Our funding agreement (SFA) specifies that AgriFutures consults with key industries representative bodies on a range of activities and investments.
Industry Associations

We regularly consult and liaise with industry associations to develop R&D Plans and clarify investment priorities for their industries.
State and Territory Departments

We regularly consult with state and territory departments to explore and respond to challenges and opportunities which impact the Australian agricultural sector, such as workforce.
Universities & Researchers

We partner with research providers and other investors to deliver better outcomes for our levied and rural industries.
Investors

We have a focus on global innovation and nurturing new and existing relationships on regional, national and global levels to ensure Australia’s rural industries are leaders in accessing and adopting, as well as developing and exporting world-leading innovation and technologies.
Innovation Hubs

We have a focus on global innovation and nurturing new and existing relationships on regional, national and global levels to ensure Australia’s rural industries are leaders in accessing and adopting, as well as developing and exporting world-leading innovation and technologies.
Other RDCs

We partner with other RDCs to improve cross-sectoral Research, Development & Extension (RD&E), by facilitating priority setting, information sharing, collaboration, and co-investment.
Startups & Scaleups

We focus on global innovation and nurturing new and existing relationships on regional, national and global levels to ensure Australia’s rural industries are leaders in accessing and adopting, as well as developing and exporting world-leading innovation and technologies.
Corporates

We partner with the private sector to access intellectual property, skills and other resources to deliver better outcomes for our levied and rural industries.
National Farmers Federation

Our funding agreement (SFA) specifies that AgriFutures consults with key industries representative bodies on a range of activities and investments.

Industrial Hemp

The industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) industry is experiencing strong growth, with innovative technologies improving production and a range of value-added products being developed. Industrial hemp, i.e. low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) hemp, has a wide range of applications, including textiles, paper, rope, fuel, oil and stockfeed, as well as building materials, cosmetics and pet food.
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Insects

Growth of insect farming is underpinned by its potential to address several challenges, such as pressure on natural resources, climate volatility, a growing global population, and increased protein demand. Insects are vital to addressing these challenges, they are more efficient converters of ingested food to body weight than traditional livestock.
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Sesame

The opportunities for sesame are seemingly endless – a variety of food products including raw sesame seeds, oil, tahini, ground sesame; nutraceuticals; pharmaceuticals; cosmeceuticals; and sesame meal as stock feed. Add the recent introduction of new high-quality, high-yielding, non-dehiscing sesame varieties that can be mechanically harvested to the mix and it is clear why there is newfound enthusiasm for the Australian sesame industry.
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Coffee

The Australian coffee industry is poised to develop into an internationally competitive sector. Australian-grown coffee has a unique terroir, or ‘taste of place’ that is defined as sweet, nutty and fruity, and is highly regarded by consumers. The RD&E Plan pulls together specific recommendations for future investment to support the long-term growth and competitive advantage of the Australian coffee industry.
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Hazelnut

With global demand for hazelnuts also increasing, the Australian agriculture industry is poised to capitalise on the opportunity to displace imported product.
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Saltwater Crocodile

The Australian saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) industry, with its 21 operators in the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia, plays a significant role in the Australian economy, particularly in the north. The industry is renowned for producing high-quality crocodile skins that cater to the luxury fashion market, as well as meat and other by-products.
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Truffles

Australia is the world’s fourth largest truffle-producing country and is earning a global reputation for premium French black truffles, or Perigord truffles (Tuber melanosporum). In 2023, Australian truffle farms exported more than 11 tonnes of truffles worth over $9 million. Truffle farming in Australia involves cultivating hazelnut and oak trees, with truffles harvested by specially trained dogs that detect them by scent.
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Chicken Meat

Chicken meat is Australia’s most consumed source of meat-based protein. With the lowest environmental footprint of all meats, and as the least expensive form of meat protein, Australian chicken is loved for its convenience, affordability, and versatility.
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Export Fodder

For more than 25 years, the Australian export fodder industry has supplied forage to countries around the world. Key export markets include Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan. Export fodder includes a wide range of crop and pasture species that are grown, harvested and lightly processed for both on-farm use and export. Export fodder production includes hay and silage of all types (pasture, cereal, lucerne, clover and others), chaff, vetch and pelletised feed.
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Thoroughbred Horses

The thoroughbred breeding industry in Australia is responsible for generating more than $1.16 billion to the Australian economy and is the second largest in the world. AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program invests in high-impact RD&E that improves the sustainability, productivity and competitiveness of the Australian thoroughbred industry.
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Honey Bee & Pollination

One third of Australian food that ends up on our plate is dependent on honey bee pollination. From almonds to avocados, honey bees are vital for the pollination and production of many of our favourite foods.
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Rice

The Australian rice industry is a global leader in water use efficiency. The continued success of the industry will be driven by increased yield, a higher average price per tonne and decreased water use.
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Ginger

There are approximately 50 ginger growers located in Australia’s sub-tropical and tropical production regions. Ginger production is both labour and capital intensive, and the industry faces challenges around biosecurity, pest and disease management, securing inputs such as irrigation, labour and seed, and an ageing grower base. 20% of ginger grown in Australia is sold to the processing sector and 80% is sold to the domestic fresh market.
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Tea Tree Oil

Pure Australian tea tree oil is an essential oil distilled from plantations of Melaleuca alternifolia and can be used in cosmetics, health care and home care products. Tea tree is tolerant of coastal acid sulphate soils and most plantations are located in the coastal region of northern NSW and the Atherton Tablelands of Queensland.
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Pasture Seeds

Temperate pasture seed production is concentrated in south-eastern Australia and south-west WA. There are approximately 500 growers of temperate pasture seed in Australia. Lucerne dominates pasture seed production, accounting for 60% of certified pasture seed produced.
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Kangaroo

Australia’s commercial kangaroo harvest industry is one of the most sustainable wild harvest operations in the world with management goals based firmly on principles of enhancing animal welfare.
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Buffalo

Water buffalo were introduced to Australia throughout the 1800s from Indonesia, initially as draught (transportation) animals and to provide meat for new settlements in the Northern Territory. Today buffalo are farmed across all states of Australia for meat and milk.
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Deer
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Goat Fibre

The Australian goat fibre industry is made up of two sub-industries – mohair and cashmere – and product is used to manufacture fine, quality clothing and furniture fabrics.
Ratite

RD&E program not active

AgriFutures 16:5:5 Roadmap logo with 16 in bold green, and 5:5 and Roadmap in dark green, set on a white background, highlighting research focused on advancing rural Australia.

Our 16:5:5 Roadmap, which forms part of our recently laid AgriFutures Australia Research and Innovation Strategic Plan 2022-2027, consists of 16 priorities across five focus areas to be delivered over five years. A simple, decisive set of priorities centred around two important audiences – our levied industries and Australian rural industries. Our focus areas and their vision are outlined below.

Our Industries

A simple orange line drawing of a plant with three leaves, enclosed within a circle, on a light gray background, evokes rural Australia and the natural environment that supports local chicken meat production.

We deliver research and innovation that aims to give our farmers and producers real returns, as well as prepare them to thrive into the future.

Emerging Industries

A blue circular outline with a six-pointed asterisk shape inside, inspired by research in Australia. One line curves downward and extends outside the circle. The background is light gray.

Through targeted research we aim to drive the growth and development of emerging, high-potential agricultural rural industries such as sesame, industrial hemp and seaweed.

Workforce and Leadership

A simple purple line drawing of a sun rising over a curved horizon, with rays extending outward, enclosed in a circle—symbolizing fresh research and new beginnings in Australia.

Through programs such as the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, the AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship and targeted industry activity, we support the development of those working in the Australian agricultural sector by responding to the specific workforce and leadership needs.

National Challenges and Opportunities

A red geometric design features a circle, two overlapping diamond shapes, and a smaller circle above them, all enclosed within a larger red circle on a light gray background—an abstract nod to research and innovation in agriculture.

We work to future-proof Australian rural industries by identifying and responding to national challenges and opportunities which impact the Australian agricultural sector.

Global Innovation Networks

Through programs such as AgriFutures evoke^AG. and AgriFutures grow^AG., we engage with the global agrifood innovation system to ensure Australia is a leader in accessing, adopting, developing and exporting agrifood technologies and innovation.

How our funding is invested

^{How industry levies are collected, managed by AgriFutures Australia, matched by the Australian Government, and invested in RD&E to deliver outcomes for levied industries.}

Our industry levy funding model

^{How industry levies are collected, managed by AgriFutures Australia, matched by the Australian Government, and invested in RD&E to deliver outcomes for levied industries.}

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Our people

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Work with us

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Corporate Publications

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Corporate Governance

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Funding opportunities

About AgriFutures Australia