INDUSTRY PARTICIPANT - Coffee Program of Research

Submissions are now being accepted. Submissions close at 12:00PM 7 February 2025 (AEDT).

The AgriFutures Emerging Industries Program helps grow up-and-coming rural industries for which there is a clear interest in their products but whose pathway for growth is unchartered. This is done through research that explores opportunities for growth and through skills development for industry leaders. Our goal is to sustainably grow developing rural industries and help them reach new markets.

The Australian coffee industry has been identified as an industry with high growth potential.  To maximise value and leverage the industry’s growing engagement, the Emerging Industries Program proposes a five-year research program benefiting the Australian coffee industry.

This large collaborative program of research will bring together research organisations and industry participants to carry out and amplify research in the Australian coffee industry.

The Australian coffee industry has a robust Strategic Plan (2021-2026) Australian Coffee Strategic RD&E Plan | AgriFutures Australia with well-defined research and development priorities to assist the growth and development of the industry over the next five years.

Areas of investigation in this Program of Research may focus on, but are not limited to, the following priorities and example activities. These represent key industry-identified priorities critical for growth. Priorities and activities will be refined through workshops and discussion:

  1. Reduce industry fixed costs
  2. Increase production volumes
  3. Reduce the cost of production
  4. Re-educate the premium segment of the market
  5. Reduce uncertainty about climate change effects
  6. Increase commercial orientation
  7. Increase knowledge and knowledge access.

Effective communication and extension of program findings will be incorporated throughout all focus areas.

A face-to-face workshop will be held in Brisbane on workshop on March 17 (10:00–17:30) and March 18, 2025 (08:30–13:00) (dates to be confirmed RE availability) with successful Expression of Interest (EOI) applicants required to have at least one informed and knowledgeable representative present.  The focus of this workshop will be to gain an understanding of the themes with regards to research currently being conducted on coffee in Australia, the current gaps/opportunities and what capability and experience is available within the group of participants. This workshop will be facilitated by an individual independent of AgriFutures Australia and the coffee industry. Following the workshop, AgriFutures Australia will work with the independent facilitator to identify the outcomes of the workshop and finalise a Statement of Requirements for the program of research.

To foster creative thinking and collaboration, a Monitoring and Evaluation (MER) session will be integrated into the workshop, establishing a strong foundation for the program’s success.

The independent facilitator will work with all parties, including the Managing Research Organisation (MRO), to develop a formal full research proposal for the collaborative program of work.

Applications close 7th February 2025 (12:00 Noon AEDT).

 Contact:

Kelly Kornacki

Program Manager, Emerging Industries

programs@agrifutures.com.au

 

IMPORTANT: Please read information below to assist you in completing your application online.

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