RIRDC
WHO RIRDC ARE AND WHAT THEY DO
RIRDC is a statutory authority established by the Primary Industries and Energy Research and Development Act 1989 (PIERD Act). The Corporation was established by the Australian Government to work with industry to invest in research and development for a more profitable, sustainable and dynamic rural sector.
WHAT WE DO
Specifically, RIRDC’s mandate from government is to achieve results from research and development investments in three areas:
- New rural industries
- Specific established rural industries
- National rural issues.
The National and Rural Research Priorities of the Australian Government provide an over-arching framework for public investment in rural research and development. RIRDC’s investments are closely aligned with these priorities.
GOALS AND STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS
New Rural Industries
Goal
Provide the knowledge for diversification in Australia’s rural industries.
Strategies
To invest in R&D for new rural industries:
- that have significant market opportunities
- where Australian industry has a competitive advantage
- that provide an opportunity for producers to enter and expand the industry
Established Rural Industries
Goal
Provide the knowledge to increase the profitability, resilience and sustainability of RIRDC’s established rural industries.
Strategies
To invest in R&D for RIRDC’s established rural industries:
- in areas identified by government and industry as high priority
- that promote development and uptake of innovative technologies and solutions
National Rural Issues
Goal
Provide the knowledge to address national rural issues
Strategies
To invest in R&D in the national rural interest to support:
- rural policy priorities of government
- priorities of rural industries and communities
- topics that are cross-sectoral or multi-industry
RIRDC’s Corporate Plan 2007-2012 sets out these goals in more detail.
VISION AND MISSION
Our vision
A more profitable, dynamic and sustainable rural sector.
Our mission
To maximise the knowledge outcomes from our R&D investments for Australian industries and government in:
- new rural industries
- established rural industries
- national rural issues.
RIRDC’s priorities are those of our industry and government stakeholders; our role is to generate the knowledge for industry and government to achieve a more profitable, sustainable and dynamic rural sector.
The Corporation’s three investment portfolios are structured to reflect our government mandate:
- Portfolio One covers a wide range of new and emerging animal and plant industries
- Portfolio Two deals with specific established rural industries
- Portfolio Three addresses national rural issues.
RIRDC has particular advantages as a national knowledge creator and broker. Through its wide network and extensive advisory committee structure, RIRDC is able to identify the strategic knowledge needs of stakeholders and select and manage the best R&D investments to meet those needs.
