Project stakeholders demonstrated how the State Government’s $10.12 million commitment to the Processed Oats Industry Growth Partnership is driving innovation and research in the oat value-add arena, at a showcase event held on Wednesday.
The industry-led partnership known by stakeholders as the Processed Oat Partnership (POP) provides a foundation for the growth of the oat industry in WA, both in value and volume, over the next 20 years. The POP aims to increase the WA production of processed oats, grain yield and hectares sown, and support industry to capture a greater share of growing international demand for oat products.
Opened by the Hon. Sandra Anne Carr MLC, Member for the Agricultural Region, the POP Showcase provided an opportunity to explore the projects co-funded under the partnership, and included presentations from Murdoch University, InterGrain, Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre, and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
Western Australian oat grower Shannen Barrett, recipient of the 2024 oat-focused Nuffield Scholarship, supported by the Processed Oat Partnership and the Grain Industry Association of Western Australia (GIWA), also presented on her upcoming Nuffield research.
Mark Narustrang, Chair of the POP Steering Committee, said the POP Showcase was an excellent opportunity for stakeholders to gain a better understanding of how the State Government funding is being used to support growth in the WA oat industry.
“POP has committed to supporting projects across the industry, including research into WA-specific breeding programs, targeted on-farm productivity and capacity, analysing new product development, value adding and manufacturing opportunities, and the potential development of new export markets to capture a greater share of growing international demand for oat products,” Mark said.
“Western Australia is the largest producer of oats in Australia and the foresight of our State Government to support this industry development is profound.
“Investment in the POP supports the State Government’s priorities of creating more regional and metro jobs, economic diversification and more WA-based food manufacturing using local produce.”
Through the GIWA Oat Council, GIWA is the lead POP partner and advisor, providing a communications portal between stakeholders. DPIRD is the lead State Government agency for the program.
For more information on the Processed Oat Partnership, please visit www.giwa.org.au/pop
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Media Enquiries:
Peter Nash, GIWA Executive Officer
08 6262 2128 or 0413 032 654