The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is leading a 5-year (2023/24 to 2027/28) National Grains Diagnostic and Surveillance Initiative (NGDSI) worth around $50 million. This initiative aims to support Australia's grain industry to manage the threat of high priority grains pests by improving national diagnostic and surveillance capability.
GRDC has partnered with the department under this initiative to deliver additional biosecurity risk management capability aligned to the department’s biosecurity responsibilities specific to the grains industry.
The NGDSI is a partnership between GRDC and:
- the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)
- the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD)
- the Queensland Government Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF)
- the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI)
- the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)
- the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
The department’s proposed project areas include:
- high priority pest risk aligned heat mapping
- epidemiological modelling
- risk analyses
- mapping of pest distribution networks
- social science analysis
- exploring an alternative phytosanitary treatment for khapra beetle.
Key outcomes are expected to include:
- enhanced diagnostic capability for rapid detection and response to high-priority grain pests
- targeted surveillance and early detection efforts to protect grain crops
- market access for exported products
- safeguarding crop health from risks associated with imported goods.
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Grains Research and Development Corporation DAFF - NGDSI