South Australia is cementing its position as a national leader in agricultural innovation, with a $2 million investment from the Malinauskas Labor Government driving the establishment of a world-class plant research capability in Adelaide.
The funding boost includes a $500,000 grant through the 2025 South Australian NCRIS Step-Change Co-Investment Program, building on a $1.5 million investment in 2024, and delivering a major new node of Plant SynBio Australia at the University of Adelaide’s Waite Campus.
This investment is about backing South Australian farmers and industries to stay ahead, unlocking higher crop yields, strengthening resilience to drought and disease, and future-proofing agriculture against the impacts of climate change.
The Adelaide facility will focus on key crops including wheat, barley, canola and rice, while also accelerating innovation in horticulture and plant-based products such as vaccines, pharmaceuticals and next-generation foods.
Importantly, the Government’s investment will open the door for greater collaboration between researchers, industry and startups, creating new opportunities for local businesses, driving economic growth, and supporting high-value jobs across the state.
This is a clear example of the Malinauskas Government investing in practical, forward-looking solutions that deliver real benefits for South Australians, strengthening our regions, supporting our farmers, and building a more resilient economy.
The State Government co-invests into seven national NCRIS projects in South Australia led by host institutions, including Adelaide University, Flinders University, the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI).
Since 2007, the South Australian Government has committed $73.1 million to support 16 South Australian NCRIS facilities, leveraging $146.7 million in cash from the Australian Government and $61.6 million in cash from the host institutions.
The new node builds on South Australia’s existing strengths in plant science and reinforces the Waite Research Precinct as one of Australia’s premier agricultural research hubs.
For more on NCRIS projects in SA, visit https://statedevelopment.sa.gov.au/science-and-research-excellence/ncris-facilities
Quotes
Attributable to Chris Picton
Synthetic biology is a major global opportunity, and South Australia has the research excellence, industry base and plant research infrastructure to play a meaningful role in its growth.
This investment will help back the expertise and facilities needed to solve real-world challenges, from climate and disease-resilient crops to new opportunities in sustainable bio-manufacturing.
The new Adelaide node will help attract talent, support startups, build industry partnerships and strengthen South Australia’s competitiveness in nationally significant research.
Attributable to Clare Scriven
This new facility will give researchers and industry the capability to translate research into practical applications for South Australia’s agriculture and bio-manufacturing sectors.
It’s important we continue to support our farmers by giving them access to the latest innovations. This will ensure their crops are more resilient to the changing environmental challenges.
If our state’s farmers can improve their yields, this increases our exports, creates more jobs and helps grow our economy.
Attributable to Adelaide University Pro Vice Chancellor, Research Services and Infrastructure, Professor Michael Goodsite
The establishment of Plant SynBio at the Waite Research Precinct strengthens our ability to deliver cutting-edge scientific discoveries with real-world applications.
The node, and the national Plant SynBio network, creates a powerful platform for collaboration, connecting researchers, industry and government to accelerate innovation in plant synthetic biology.
Attributable to Node Director Professor Matthew Gilliham
Our node brings together advanced infrastructure and technical expertise to accelerate plant-based innovation.
We can provide partners with access to the full synthetic biology cycle, from molecular design and genetic editing through to transformation and field validation.
