The updated National Water Use in Agriculture RDE Strategy 2015 and the successful “Smarter Irrigation for Profit” Rural R&D For Profit project. CRDC committed to continued involved in the implementation of this important strategy for the agricultural sector.

Water scarcity is the major limiting factor to Australia’s agricultural productivity. Droughts, water reforms such

as the Murray Darling Basin Plan, competing water uses from mining and urban growth, and Australia’s highly

variable climate patterns are placing growing pressure on water use in agriculture.

Food security and production is now a key part of the national policy agenda and there is renewed interest in

agricultural expansion (e.g. Northern Australia) and transformation of existing rainfed systems with irrigation

(e.g. Tasmania).

There are complex interactions between water, energy costs, labour needs, nutrient use, crop agronomy, soils,

salinity and the water balance that need to be better understood.

Infrastructure, technology and engineering solutions alone will not provide the outcomes required. New

knowledge, farmer led learning sites, adaptation and adoption of current knowledge; and improvement in

the skills and capabilities of water suppliers, farmers, advisors and students are crucial to achieving long-term

continuing improvement.

Australia achieves world-leading farm water productivity whilst enhancing environmental

and social sustainability through all stakeholders working together to maximise benefits from

research, development and extension.

Aim

The aim of this Water Use in Agriculture RD&E strategy is to facilitate a RD&E model that will result in:

• more effective delivery of RD&E outcomes for agricultural industries (irrigated and rainfed) seeking to

maximise water productivity and adapt to decreasing availability of water

• better utilisation of available RD&E funds, facilities and capabilities relevant to water use in agriculture,

especially through enhanced collaboration between RD&E providers

• increased capability of water managers and users to help deliver transformations in the way that water is

used in agriculture

• effective networks of RD&E provider groups which can retain and build capability and deliver leading-edge

RD&E relevant to industry and community needs

• an effective organising framework for RD&E in water use in agriculture that provides greater national and

regional coordination of investment and service delivery, enhanced cross-commodity coordination, and

improved linkages to other water-using sectors.