Research in Action

Let's look at climate change, waste of food produce, and increased demand due to population growth as individual challenges with some possible solutions. 

The challenge of Climate Change: How can producers respond to changes in a shifting environment?

• The Challenge: Rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and more frequent extreme weather events (frosts/floods/bushfires/dust storms).

• Current Research: The My Climate View digital tool (developed by CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology).

• The Solution: This project provides location-specific climate predictions for the next 50 years, allowing farmers to decide now if they need to change their crop varieties or move into different commodities to survive future heat levels.

Food Produce Waste: Closing the Loop

• The Challenge: Millions of tonnes of Australian produce are lost before they reach the consumer due to pests, bruising during transport, or strict cosmetic standards. 

• Current Research: ARC Research Hub for Protected Cropping, CQU research drives rescue plan for fruit and veg waste

• A Solution: By moving crops (like berries and greens) into high-tech glasshouses, research has found we can reduce "on-farm waste" by shielding plants from pests and weather, ensuring a higher percentage of "Grade A" produce that makes it to market. Programs develop sustainable ways to protect crops from pest and disease threats that may increase due to stresses placed on plants by the changing climate.

• A Solution: Back in 2010, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that "More than 100,000 tonnes of Queensland bananas go to waste every year because the fruit does not meet cosmetic retail standards." Being too small or too large, bending too much or not enough or having a very minor skin blemish was enough to send bananas to landfill. This has improved somewhat over the years, but is still significant with an estimated 37 million kilograms (or up to 30-50% of crops) still being rejected annually. Other solutions to these problems are being addressed by initiatives such at Woolworths' "The Odd Bunch" program and Coles' "I'm perfect" labels that sell imperfect produce at lower prices. New processes and equipment can value-add by turning unwanted produce into smoothies, purees fruit snacks or even stock feed.

Population Growth: Feeding 10 Billion people with less space and diminishing resources

• The Challenge: By 2050, global food demand is expected to increase by 70%. In Australia, we must produce more on the same amount of land, o even less. As housing pressure increases, farming land is gradually being lost.

• Current Research: Genomics and Heat-Tolerant Varieties (UWA & Grains Research and Development Corporation - GRDC).

• A Solution: Researchers are using gene-mapping to develop "Kimberley Large" chickpeas and heat-tolerant wheat. These allow farmers to maintain high yields even as the climate warms and population demand rises. 

Solutions to global threats like climate change and food security don't happen by accident—they are the result of partnerships. By combining the practical experience of growers with the scientific data of researchers, Australia creates "climate-smart" agriculture that can feed a growing population with less waste.

SAC/Exam Tip: 

When you see the word "Justify," you must provide evidence. Don't just say research is "important." Say: "Research is important because for every $1 invested, Australian farmers receive an estimated $7.82 in return, making it economically vital for securing our food future." (These figures are estimated to be correct for the time of writing this page)

Make sure you are familiar with the command terms used in VCAA exams. The Glossary of Command Terms may be downloaded from this page.