Australia
May 19, 2025
.jpg)
GRDC will open a competitive process to identify a new partner with the agility, commercial focus, and scientific expertise to accelerate varietal improvement and deliver value to growers nationally.
Photo: Melanie Jenson
GRDC will soon start the process of identifying a new chickpea breeding partner as part of its ongoing commitment to delivering enduring profitability for Australian grain growers.
Since 2020, GRDC and the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD) have co-invested in Chickpea Breeding Australia (CBA)—a $30 million, five-year initiative with matched contributions from both organisations.
This highly successful partnership has delivered substantial outcomes, including a significant increase in breeding line development, expansion of field trials, and a broader geographic footprint across Western Australia and New South Wales.
The program has also benefited from targeted infrastructure investment and strengthened capability at the Tamworth Agricultural Institute, supporting NSW DPIRD researchers to meet the evolving demands of the sector.
As the current project finishes this month (May 2025), NSW DPIRD has signalled it will not pursue a longer-term breeding partner role beyond this investment cycle. However, both parties remain strongly committed to a smooth transition and to ongoing collaboration over the next 12 months to maintain program momentum and continuity for industry.
GRDC will continue to support key NSW DPIRD chickpea breeding activities through 2025 to ensure the delivery of critical milestones during this growing season.
Looking ahead, GRDC will open a competitive process to identify a new partner with the agility, commercial focus, and scientific expertise to accelerate varietal improvement and deliver value to growers nationally. This future investment will build on GRDC’s strong track record in chickpea breeding, which has underpinned the expansion of production—particularly in Queensland and northern NSW.
GRDC remains committed to co-investing in high-impact breeding programs that deliver improved chickpea varieties across both current and emerging production regions.
Topics
Species
