The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) is an Australian statutory Corporation formed in July 1990 under the Primary Industries and Energy Research and Development (PIERD) Act 1989. RIRDC was set up by the Australian Government to work closely with Australian rural industries on the organisation and funding of their research and development (R&D) needs, in particular for new and emerging industries and for cross-sectoral national rural issues.
RIRDC's mission is for a more profitable, dynamic and sustainable rural sector. It is one of 15 Rural Research and Development corporations (RDCs) in Australia. RIRDC has three portfolio areas: New Rural Industries, Established Rural Industries and National Rural Issues. RIRDC’s research provides options for producers and communities to increase their profitability and to diversify, by identifying opportunities and helping to manage change. RIRDC was involved in early work on developing canola in Australia, which has gone on to become a crop of up to 2.4 million tonnes a year. Research for the tropical fruit industry has seen it expand to more than 400 Australian commercial growers. RIRDC also provides research and development for established industries. RIRDC R&D has helped improve rice yields by 87% per megalitre while reducing water use by 45%. RIRDC’s chicken meat research led to a new live MG vaccine which holds 40% of that global market and has significantly reduced losses in the industry. RIRDC research has developed three new oaten hay varieties – Wintaroo, Brusher and Kangaroo – which are contributing to an export hay market that has grown by 200% over ten years. RIRDC research and development helps keep these industries at the leading edge of competitiveness and profitability.
Famous quotes containing the words rural, industries, research, development and/or corporation:
“Our rural village life was a purifying, uplifting influence that fortified us against the later impacts of urbanization; Church and State, because they were separated and friendly, had spiritual and ethical standards that were mutually enriching; freedom and discipline, individualism and collectivity, nature and nurture in their interaction promised an ever stronger democracy. I have no illusions that those simpler, happier days can be resurrected.”
—Agnes E. Meyer (1887–1970)
“All industries are brought under the control of such people [film producers] by Capitalism. If the capitalists let themselves be seduced from their pursuit of profits to the enchantments of art, they would be bankrupt before they knew where they were. You cannot combine the pursuit of money with the pursuit of art.”
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)
“One of the most important findings to come out of our research is that being where you want to be is good for you. We found a very strong correlation between preferring the role you are in and well-being. The homemaker who is at home because she likes that “job,” because it meets her own desires and needs, tends to feel good about her life. The woman at work who wants to be there also rates high in well-being.”
—Grace Baruch (20th century)
“John B. Watson, the most influential child-rearing expert [of the 1920s], warned that doting mothers could retard the development of children,... Demonstrations of affection were therefore limited. “If you must, kiss them once on the forehead when they say goodnight. Shake hands with them in the morning.””
—Sylvia Ann Hewitt (20th century)
“The nearest the modern general or admiral comes to a small-arms encounter of any sort is at a duck hunt in the company of corporation executives at the retreat of Continental Motors, Inc.”
—C. Wright Mills (1916–1962)