Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) Chief Economist Ross Kingwell is the deserving winner of the prestigious 2024 Seed of Light award.
The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) presents Seed of Light honours each year to industry leaders who make exceptional contributions to research and development in Australia's grains industry.
Professor Kingwell is a leading agricultural economist with more than 45 years' experience, including as a foundational leader with AEGIC since its inception in 2012.
AEGIC Executive General Manager Courtney Draper said Professor Kingwell's impact on the Australian grains industry was hard to overstate.
"It's fair to say that Ross's reputation within our industry is just about second to none," Ms Draper said.
"Ross has earned enormous respect across Australia for his outstanding economic analysis and communication skills.
"Ross has a remarkable talent for clearly articulating the real-world value of his insights to growers and industry in an engaging and practical way - as anyone who has heard him speak can attest to."
Ms Draper said Professor Kingwell had a genuine respect for grain farming, developed over decades of interactions with growers in WA and across the country.
"Ross is also a very active mentor to the next generation of agricultural economists," she said.
"Importantly, he is deeply valued and respected within the AEGIC team as a warm and generous leader who has made many invaluable contributions to the development of AEGIC over the years."
Professor Kingwell was presented with the GRDC Seed of Light award for the western region at the 2024 GRDC Grains Research Update, Perth on 26 February 2024.
Professor Kingwell began his career with the WA Department of Agriculture in 1978 and joined AEGIC at its launch in 2012. He is also a Professor with the University of Western Australia.
AEGIC is an initiative of the Western Australian State Government and Grains Australia.
About AEGIC
The Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) is an independent organisation that helps position Australian grain as the preferred choice in international markets.
AEGIC does this by:
- Understanding the needs of grain customers.
- Identifying and supporting grain market opportunities.
- Educating customers on the benefits of Australian grain.
- Innovating to develop new solutions and high-value uses.
This helps the Australian grains industry breed, classify, grow and supply grain that markets prefer.
AEGIC's primary beneficiaries are Australian grain growers, and the impact of AEGIC's work spans the whole grains supply chain: from the grower in Australia, whose grain is valued internationally, to the consumer who enjoys excellent noodles, baked products and beer made from Australian grain.
You can follow AEGIC on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook
