Pulse Australia’s long running commitment to its grass roots beneficiaries is under threat as Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) funding cuts force the peak industry body to relinquish its role.
Pulse Australia chairman Peter Wilson said the cuts came after a great lack of consultation yet were in line with an age old rule.
“He who has the gold makes the rules, and the GRDC certainly has a lot of gold and is therefore free to spend it wherever it sees fit,” he said.
“It basically means we’re unable to do extension work with grower groups or agronomists because we’re not being paid to do it.
“The GRDC clearly believes it can do that work better but it’s clear they just want their own Land Cruiser with their own branding to drive around on farmers’ properties and that’s concerning.”
Given the GRDC’s supposed desire to push its brand into the field and negate the work of groups like Pulse Australia, it would be reasonable to question the organisation’s plan moving forward.
Mr Wilson said he worried about the efficiency of GRDC spending considering the organisation’s bureaucratic nature.
“Research and development is critical and should be done by parties at the coal face to best ensure tasks are valid and grower money isn’t being thrown out the window,” he said.
“The GRDC has been removed from industry for so long and they will find there are a lot of birdies chirping for food.
“There is definitely the potential to be swayed by individual interests that aren’t guided by industry with detrimental outcomes for farmers, the supply chain and end customers.”
Pulse Australia tells its own success story as an industry body cradling the development of pulses nation wide for 20 years.
Canola and pulses are delivering in spades in terms of rotational benefits for farmers and Mr Wilson said without Pulse Australia’s contribution, the industry would not have access to the value added supply chain it does.
“In some ways the move allows us to be wholly focussed on our membership base rather than having a divided loyalty to the GRDC,” he said.
“If they’re prepared to do what we do on a bigger and better scale then great.
“We know there is a role for Pulse Australia and we will be very quick to make our voice heard if we believe money is being sprayed around without direction.”
A GRDC spokesperson said the corporation invested up to $200 million per year in more than 900 research, development and extension projects.
“For pulses, the GRDC is funding a project on broadleaf crops with Pulse Australia and the Australian Oilseed Federation worth $650,000 per year,” the spokesperson said.
“Pulses will continue to be a valuable crop for Australian grain growers both from a cash and a rotational crop point of view warranting GRDC’s ongoing focus.
“The GRDC does not invest in or sponsor organisations, whether they be grower groups, industry groups, universities or state departments of agriculture. It does however invest in projects that deliver outcomes for growers.”
Mr Wilson said exciting things were happening for pulses due to cohesiveness within the industry led by Pulse Australia.
“This move can’t just be about reducing the criticism GRDC receives for people not knowing what they do,” he said.
“Pulse Australia will remain solidly connected to the agronomy side of the supply chain, we are still focussed on keeping the supply chain as clean as possible and making sure industry isn’t blind sided beyond the farm, and we’re still involved in the temporary registration of key chemical compounds when required.
“The GRDC requires Pulse Australia to remain engaged to give them the best bang for their buck- we believe we have much greater insight into the supply chain than the GRDC ever will.”
