Queensland Future Conversations
Protecting Agriculture Through Innovation and Science
Wednesday 11th October 2023
Speakers' Hall, Queensland Parliament House, Brisbane.
The final Queensland Future Conversations event of the year focused on the topic of "Protecting Agriculture through Innovation and Science.“ Our State has exceptional scientists who are leading key initiatives to enhance and protect Queensland’s agriculture and its global reputation for being safe and nutritious. The agricultural sector, however, faces a complex set of challenges ranging from climate changeand weather variability, to pest and disease management, resource efficiency, and consumer demand. Embracing new technologies is essential not only to overcome these challenges but also to ensure the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the sector.
This briefing session brought together leading experts who are developing cutting-edge technologies and innovations such as genetic modification, hyperspectral imaging, and RNA that can ensure Queensland’s agriculture remains resilient, sustainable, and competitive.
The event was moderated by Professor Rebecca Ford, Dean of the Graduate Research School at Griffith University, who also attended as representative of Griffith. Professor Ford was joined by Professor Margaret Sheil AO, Vice-Chancellor and President of Queensland University of Technology, and Professor Melissa Brown, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science at The University of Queensland.
The briefing was opened by The Honourable Leanne Linard MP, Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science, and Minister for Multicultural Affairs. Distinguished Professor James Dale of QUT gave the first presentation on "A Scientific Safety Net for the World's Banana Production", describing the achievements of the first succesfully genetically modified variety of Cavendish banana highly resistant to the devastating Panama Disease Tropical Race 4 (TR4). Next UQ's Dr Narelle Manzie of the Centre for Horticultural Science at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) spoke about "RNA Based Pesticides for Sustainable Crop Protection", specifically the new RNA-based technology of BioClay, which provides an innovative biological alternative to chemical fungicides. Finally, Associate Professor Shahla Hosseini-Bai presented "Machine Vision: Agriculture of the Future" which explained how new technologies of hyperspectral imaging can screen particular foods to determine their ripeness, thus decreasing food loss and increasing food quality. These same technologies also have an array of other uses, such as predicting soil fertility and carbon content. Professor Dale, Dr Manzie and Associate Professor Bai then joined formed a panel for a thought-provoking Q&A discussion.
(Left to Right): Distinguished Professor James Dale (QUT), Associate Professor Shahla Hosseini-Bai (Griffith University), Dr Narelle Manzie (UQ), and MC Professor Rebecca Ford (Griffith University).
(Left to Right): Professor Melissa Brown (Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science, UQ), Professor Margaret Sheil AO (Vice-Chancellor and President of the Queensland Univertsity of Technology), The Honourable Leanne Linard MP (Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science, and Minister for Multicultural Affairs), The Honourable Mark Furner MP (Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities), and Professor Rebecca Ford (Dean of the Graduate Research School, Griffith University).
RESEARCHER BIOGRAPHIES
RESEARCHER PRESENTATIONS
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