The cotton industry is seeking community, commercial and local government input into the direction and content of future research programs.

Guy Roth (photo), chief executive officer of the Australian Cotton Cooperative Research Centre, said a new seven-year research program is being developed based on collaborative private and public sector partnerships across regional catchment communities.

“Our research focus in future will be not only on creating and maintaining a sustainable cotton industry, but ensuring that the regional communities in which cotton is grown remain vibrant and viable,” he said.

He said cotton production was already a high-tech industry with a reputation for innovation and science-based solutions to production and environmental problems.

“Australia produces some of the highest yielding, highest quality cotton in the world, and has set international benchmarks for best management practices, and integrated, area-wide pest, disease and weed management.

“The industry has a strong track record in facilitating industry-wide collaboration to solve on-farm problems, which we now plan to harness to address catchment and regional community issues.

“ We are also planning to increase our focus on precision agricultural technologies and post farm gate fibre quality research,” Guy Roth said.

“Other examples of areas of interest include research on the water balance, farming systems, pest management, sustainable use and enhancement of biodiversity, environmental flows, salinity, and connectivity of industry to communities.

“The cotton industry has developed a unique skills base, and a leading education, short course, vocational training, extension and technology transfer network, which could in future focus on what is good for the socio-economic good of community regions as a whole. We conduct research and development in every cotton region in Australia,” he said.

He said the Cotton CRC is open to new ideas for future research projects and programs, and for financial and in-kind sponsorship, partnerships and support.

“The new “CRC for Cotton Catchment Communities” has the potential to attract $28 million in Federal Government funding over a seven year period, provided we can attract cash or in-kind support from other sources for a further $14-$20 million.

“We are looking for new partners to join the new Cooperative Research Centre for Cotton Catchment Communities. In particular, we are looking for private sector partners and other sectors of the community. More information is on www.cotton.crc.org.au

“Current Cotton CRC core partners have pledged to continue their support, but the broadening of the base of our future research requires significant additional cash or in-kind support from other sectors of the community as well,” Guy Roth said.