RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Investigating innovative cotton varieties with enhanced drought resistance to address changing climate conditions and ensure sustainable cotton production in Australia.
GET INVOLVED
Cotton Australia has formed a number of authentic partnerships with retailers, brands, manufacturers and supply chain partners who share the industry’s values. If your organisation believes in reducing environmental footprint, the fair and safe treatment of workers, quality product and supply chain traceability – then we may be in business.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DRIVES INNOVATION
The Australian cotton industry has a strong research and development culture and this has contributed to its success as a modern agricultural industry. The Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) invests around $25 million per year in cotton research, development and extension. Growers pay a compulsory R&D levy on every bale of cotton they produce, with matching funding provided by the Australian Government.
Three of the Australian cotton industry’s greatest success stories – world-leading yields, water use efficiency gains and massive pesticide use reduction – are underpinned by world class R&D, and the successes do not stop there.
Research is currently being conducted across the full scope of cotton production including the supply chain: traceability, performance, textile waste, plant pathology, biosecurity, insects and weeds, spray application, insecticides, GM stewardship, energy use, nutrition and water use efficiency. There is work constantly underway to make cotton more productive and profitable for Australian cotton growers, while continuously improving its environmental sustainability.
INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING KEY FOCUS AREAS:
- Optimised farming systems
- Transformative technologies
- Protection from biotic threats and environmental stresses
- Sustainability of cotton farming
- Creating higher value uses for cotton
- Science and innovation capability, and new knowledge
- Futures thinking
