The ARC Research Hub for Sustainable Crop Protection was supported by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Industrial Transformation Research Program (ITRP) from 2020 to 2025. The Hub addressed the global challenge of transforming crop protection technologies by advancing the development of non-GM, non-toxic RNAi based fungicides targeting specific fungal diseases of crops.
The Hub goal was to develop and commercialise an innovative biological alternative to chemical fungicides targeting economically significant broad-acre and horticultural crop diseases. Through its research program, the Hub made significant progress in addressing industry challenges, including fungicide resistance, chemical residues in food, off-target effects and environmental harm.
An expert multidisciplinary team uniting science, commercial and social licence pathways worked collaboratively to support the advancement of Australia’s agricultural sector. The research undertaken focused on increasing productivity, improving market access and enhancing the environmental credentials of Australian food.
Benefiting Australian agriculture by reducing losses due to fungal pathogens in an environmentally and sustainable manner: protecting our biodiversity through specific targeting towards chemical-free agriculture.
Increased productivity and value addition to Crop Protection Products by addressing industry issues such as fungacide resistance, residue, run-off, non-specificity and harmful effects on health and environment.
Non-GM crop protection for increased market access and global trade, residue-free food for human, livestock and the food processing industries which rely on crop commodities raw materials.
Catering to the informed consumer looking for cleaner products with responsible environmental credentials, reduced food waste and an approach that lessens the need for the chemicals and pesticides.
The multi-disciplinary research program incorporated renown research institutes, sector and industry participation, with key stakeholder involvement.
