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Tropical Queensland crops could save tobacco towns |
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Tropical Queensland crops could save tobacco towns
QLD State Government Media statement
Premier & Trade, Peter Beattie
08/06/04
San Francisco: Queensland could become a world leader in tropical crops and their development could save communities affected by declines in other products, Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said today.
Mr Beattie announced a $3.5 million State Government commitment to the development of a new crop research facility, which would work closely with industry.
Mr Beattie the Queensland University of Technology would work with Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries to establish the Queensland Crop Development Facilities at both Ormiston in the Redlands Shire and at the University's Gardens Point campus in Brisbane city.
"Queensland can become a world leader in the development of tropical crops such as bananas, lettuce, papaya and pineapples both for food and for biomaterial," Mr Beattie said.
"With rural exports valued at $5.5 billion, the Queensland agricultural sector is a major contributor to the State's economy.
"This new facility will have an important role to play in helping our tropical and sub-tropical agricultural industries to continue to employ efficient farming practices so they can remain competitive internationally.
"The development of herbicide and pest resistant crop technology is a significant factor here."
Mr Beattie said the facilities would develop molecular or next generation farming crops which would be used to produce vaccines, proteins and other products.
"Biotechnology has the potential to breathe new life into regional towns affected by a decline in demand for certain traditional crops," Mr Beattie said.
"For example the use of tobacco as a biofactory in the Mareeba and Dimbulah Irrigation area could yield high-value biotech products, such as pharmaceuticals, worth some $140 million to the regional economy over 10 years and generate 150 sustaining jobs.
"Similarly sugarcane as a large biofactory could be harvested for bioplastics, industrial enzymes and pharmaceuticals."
The crop facility is one of seven research institutes to share in almost $34 million in Smart State Research Facilities Funding.
Premier Beattie is on a 14 day trade and investment mission aimed at strengthening Queensland's ties and creating new business opportunities in Chile, Brazil and the United States.
Queensland Premier's Office +61 7 3224 4500
June 8, 2004
Farmacule BioIndustries is the key commercial partner in this crop research project. Through its Research & Development agreement with QUT, Farmacule BioIndustries will have access to the new research facilities at Ormiston and QUT's Gardens Point campus and the option to commercialise future crop products.
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