WA Agricultural Research Collaboration

Launched in July 2023, the WA Agricultural Research Collaboration (WAARC) aims to rebuild and reinvigorate WA’s RDE&A capabilities through applied research programs on emerging industry issues.

The work will build on scientific research efforts that underpin the State’s agricultural industry success and high productivity by applying cutting-edge science to WA’s unique challenges and opportunities.

The Grower Group Alliance is among six Collaboration participants including the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, and Western Australian universities: Curtin, Murdoch and the University of Western Australia.

WAARC Programs

The Collaboration will focus on a series of programs to respond to the needs of WA industries by applying the best available scientific knowledge to our State’s unique context. These include:

 1. Northern Agriculture

Increasing the gross value of production through intensification of agriculture by 2030, focusing on sustainable growth of irrigated agriculture and the northern beef industry.

2. Grains Transformation

Transforming the WA grains industry to achieve an average 25 million tonne crop per annum by 2035, achieved with 50% decrease in fertiliser, crop protection and fuel input use than 2022.

3. Climate Resilience

Addressing the impacts of climate change through technologies that can deliver future landscapes that maintain agricultural productivity while reducing carbon emissions by 50% by 2035.

4. Agricultural Technologies

Driving 20% improvement in margins of the leading 10% of producers by 2035.

5. Aboriginal Participation

Doubling Aboriginal employment in agriculture by 2035 including by direct participation in agricultural businesses.

 6. Capacity Building and Extension 

Encouraging and supporting WA growers to apply research outcomes in the paddock. 

Grower Group University Honours Program 2026

GGA is partnering with the WAARC to offer an Honours program to the GGA Network in 2026.

Connecting Honours students from Curtin University, Murdoch University and The University of Western Australia, this initiative would pair a WA grower group with a student to develop and complete their research project.

Honours students will:

• Receive a $10,000 Honours scholarship (plus a contribution towards travel and operating costs)
• Gain meaningful, field-based research experience in regional WA
• Build strong links with industry and enhance both research and industry career pathways
• Become part of a program that provides a clear pipeline into PhD study for those who want to pursue research, while also being highly valued by industry for those wanting to enter the workforce.

Grower groups will:

• Receive a $10,000 hosting fee to assist with orientation, research co-design, supervision, and community engagement throughout the year
• Access research tailored to your group’s priorities
• Contribute to developing WA’s next generation of agricultural professionals
• Bring new thinking and analytical capability into your organisation.

Who can take part?

This program is open to a broad range of people interested in undertaking an Honours project, including:

• Recently graduated undergraduate students looking to continue into Honours
• People currently working in the agriculture sector who want to strengthen their applied research skills through an Honours project
• All grower groups within the GGA network interested in hosting an Honours student.

Program flexibility:

Students can commence in Semester 1 or 2 of 2026, offering flexibility for both universities and grower groups.

News

Program Updates

Round two scholarships now open to inspire future ag leaders
31 March 2025

WA Agricultural Research Collaboration: Northern agriculture strengthened by first Collaboration project
24 May 2023

Research collaboration welcomes grower insights
28 Feb 2023

Collaborators