A new plan launched by the Tas State Government and the University of Tasmania is set to guide the strategic growth of Tasmania’s agricultural sector over the next three years.

The Minister for Primary Industries and Water, David Llewellyn, said the Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research (TIAR) Strategic Plan 2009-2011 ensures the organisation can continue to deliver appropriate research, development and extension services that best fit industry’s needs.

“TIAR is a joint venture between the University of Tasmania (UTAS) and the State Government through the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment,” Mr Llewellyn said.

“It was initially established a decade ago to deliver research support to Tasmanian agriculture, but its role was expanded to encompass development and extension.

“Two years ago, the Government made a further substantial investment in TIAR as part of the SMART Farming initiative, to create the Dairy and Vegetable Centres – a defining moment for support for Tasmanian agriculture as extension and development activities were added to the functions of TIAR.

“The launch of the TIAR Strategic Plan 2009-2011 acknowledges these shifts and paves the way for this centre of excellence to contribute to prosperous, innovative and sustainable agriculture and natural resource-based activities,” he said.

University of Tasmania Vice-Chancellor, Professor Daryl Le Grew, said the new plan is representative of the outstanding value of TIAR to the farming industry in Tasmania, with its research also informing agricultural sectors nationally and internationally.

“TIAR currently manages more than 200 projects with funding of $8 million provided from a diverse range of bodies including the Commonwealth and State governments, the CSIRO, the Australian Research Council, Research and Development corporations and industry bodies,” he said.

TIAR employs 180 staff and has 85 PhD students undertaking a variety of projects.

Mr Llewellyn and Professor Le Grew also jointly launched the Dairy Centre Strategic Plan and Vegetable Centre Strategic Plan, both of which apply for the next three years.

The Dairy Centre Strategic Plan addresses both the industry’s potential to continue to grow stronger and excel in converting pasture to milk, while at the same time focusing on developing the research, development and extension capacity. Similarly the Vegetable Centre Strategic Plan takes a long-term approach.

Professor Le Grew said all three Plans would help to place the industry in a position of strength as it moves forward to meet its challenges.

“The University is committed to working with the State Government and the local agricultural sector to ensure Tasmania benefits from world-leading research and collaboration,” he said.

“Tasmania’s strengths are its location, its people and the potential for innovation.”