Grower Group Alliance Funding Cut Sparks Concerns Over Regional Community Investment

Strategic Insights -

The Grower Group Alliance (GGA), a key player in Western Australia's agricultural research and development, has seen its formal partnership with the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) come to an end, sparking concerns about the long-term impact on regional communities. The collaboration, which began in 2019, aimed to increase research and development, extension, and adoption across WA, leveraging State funding and growing local expertise. Over six years, DPIRD invested more than $7 million, with an estimated return on investment for the State of $90m. Despite this, GGA CEO Rikki Foss has expressed disappointment and frustration, citing a lack of official notification and a failure to acknowledge the value of growers' contributions to the R&D ecosystem.

Key Takeaways:

  • The formal partnership between GGA and DPIRD ended without official notification, raising concerns about the future of agricultural capacity building and research delivery in WA.
  • DPIRD invested more than $7 million over six years, with an estimated return on investment for the State of $90m.
  • GGA CEO Rikki Foss expressed disappointment and frustration, citing a lack of official notification and a failure to acknowledge the value of growers' contributions to the R&D ecosystem.
  • Growers pay levies and contribute significant time and resources to the R&D ecosystem, and GGA members do not pay another membership fee to the organisation, making it unsustainable for them to pay for GGA's services.
  • DPIRD's decision to end the partnership has increased GGA's costs of operating, and the organisation is struggling to prepare for the future due to the lack of support from DPIRD and the Minister.
  • The decision has raised concerns about the impact on regional communities, as GGA's services, such as training and professional development for new and existing staff, are essential to the livestock and agricultural industries.
  • GGA's ability to bring together grower groups and secure funding for large-scale research projects has been influential not just in WA, but across Australia, and its loss will be felt for years to come.

Statistics:

  • DPIRD invested more than $7 million over six years in partnership with GGA.
  • The estimated return on investment for the State of $90m was generated through the collaboration.
  • GGA grew from seven staff members to 23 and expanded its membership from 37 grain-centric organisations to 94 agricultural organisations during the duration of the partnership.

Sources:

  • Kiera Bridcutt & Perri Polson
  • Grower Group Alliance (GGA)
  • WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)
  • The Australian newspaper