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Science & Innovation 14

If we knew the outcome before the work was farmers and agricultural scientists working closely
undertaken, it would in no way be innovative! together. The future of agricultural innovation
relies on agricultural scientists actively working
For this reason, our science processes in their field and working closely with farmers in
must enable long-term commitment to an actual fields.
area of science without rigidly managed
work. Innovation needs space for creativity! Farmers who demonstrate leadership and support
Investment in science requires acceptance of of RD&E and actively engage with scientists are
the risk that not all work will have a favourable most likely to be able to capitalise on innovation.
outcome; sometimes even an “unfavourable” Agribusiness has a key role in commercialisation
outcome adds to the body of knowledge. and farm advisors accelerate the rate of adoption
of new technology.
We also must have a mix of exploratory (“blue sky”)
and incremental science with science processes This is how we should build our future.
that encourage collaboration.

For successful innovation in agriculture to flourish
in the future, we need strong leadership and
commitment by farmers and farm leaders to
participate in research in an active extension of
the developmental processes that are started by
publically funded professionals working together
with private consultants. Close collaboration is
the key.

A final example
When considering the subject I think immediately
of a friend of mine who welcomed researchers
onto his property for field trials on insect pest
management.

By participating in the scientists’ research on a daily
basis, the friend learned about insect ecology and
the nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) that played
a role in the method of naturally controlling
insect pests in his fields that the researchers
were exploring. He learned about how the virus
propagated itself in the insect pests and then
used his new knowledge to devise a way to mass-
produce the NPV insecticide.

The company he established now has international
markets success as a natural insecticide that is
highly effective in a number of crops and has
extraordinarily benign impacts on the environment.
He emphasises the importance of collaboration,
highlighting in his company’s brochures the idea of

The Australian Farmer • Issue 2017