Quinoa as a new crop in Australia – stage 2

Summary

Quinoa is a unique food crop originating in South America from its origins as an indigenous ancient grain. Preliminary work in Australia and in other countries with modern agricultural practice have demonstrated the potential for the crop to be productive in a relatively wide range of environments including Mediterranean winter seasons, temperate summer seasons and tropical dry seasons. The crop will provide a high value alternative break crop for different farming systems across Australia, providing a rotational annual crop that is productive, profitable and fits well into sustainable land use rotations. This project endeavours to establish quinoa as a crop in Australia by providing varieties, an agronomic package including weed control options and best management practice, improved techniques of seed processing, and market information and advice. The project intends to collaborate with growers and industry to enhance the development of Quinoa.

Program

New and Emerging Plant Industries

Research Organisation

Western Australian Agriculture Authority, a body corporate established under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007

Objective Summary

1. Transitioning quinoa from a niche/cottage/organic crop to wider adoption across Australian broadacre farming environments by undertaking field testing in a range of environments which may lead to the development of variety options. 2. Developing and providing knowledge on agronomy, production and seed processing to growers and industry