Calling all agrifood innovators

Science Minister Dave Kelly has announced the opening of applications for round two of the State Government’s Agriculture and Aquaculture Entrepreneurship Program.

The program forms part of the Science and Agribusiness Connect initiative’s suite of programs designed to build the capability of the Western Australian agrifood sector.

Three scholarships of up to $30,000 are available this round to enable farmers and individuals engaged in the agriculture or aquaculture sectors to develop and pursue their idea or invention through exposure to international best practice and leaders in their field.

Successful applicants will have an innovative concept or idea within the fields of agriculture or aquaculture that has the potential to broaden the economy and to modernise the agrifood sector.

The program awarded $55,202 in scholarships in its first round to four WA farmers and innovators from across the sector.

These individuals are now travelling interstate and overseas to learn from the world’s best on a range of innovations including lime application for the management of sub-soil acidity, boosting productivity in marron farming, using drone technology in agriculture and investigating ways to establish a log-grown shiitake industry in the South-West.

They will be returning to Western Australia and sharing their knowledge within their industries and regional WA later this year.

Applications for round two of the program close at 12pm AWST on May 31, 2017.

For more information visit the website.