- $2.5 million upgrade at Frank Wise Institute of Tropical Agriculture unveiled today
- Cook Government supporting research to expand irrigated crops and beef production in the State's north
The Cook Government is backing the growth of tropical agriculture in the State's north, unveiling a $2.5 million upgrade to scientific facilities in Kununurra.
Improvements to four laboratories at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's (DPIRD) Frank Wise Institute of Tropical Agriculture will help expand irrigated agriculture and beef production across the Kimberley and Pilbara.
The revamped laboratories will support research across horticulture cropping systems, cotton, grain, and fodder production.
A fit-for-purpose seed cleaning and processing facility, humidity-controlled cool room, general purpose laboratory, and drying area for soil and plant material are also part of the redevelopment.
The Kununurra research facility has been pivotal in supporting the development of WA's northern agriculture industry for 77 years.
There are now more than 20 collaborative research projects under way at the site, including hemp, plantago, mango, safflower, cassava, and cotton.
The facility is also home to the WA Agricultural Research Collaboration's Cropping Enabled Cattle project, exploring cattle feed systems in the north.
Agriculture production in the Ord River Irrigation Area is important to the State's economy, with a direct contribution from irrigated crops and sandalwood valued at $230 million per annum.
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"This investment by the Cook Government will help our tropical agriculture industries diversify and explore new crop opportunities, while lowering business risks.
"These new facilities are essential to grow and protect our thriving northern agriculture industries."
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:
"The innovative research at the Frank Wise Institute of Tropical Agriculture will boost confidence for local growers to persue new crop and market opportunities.
"The upgraded facilities will attract more quality research and scientists to the region, while also creating employment avenues for the community."
