Return on investment methodology review and enhancing data sharing across the Research and Development Corporations system

Summary

The Australian rural innovation system is underpinned by 15 Research and Development Corporations (RDCs), each representing a unique partnership between industry and government. These RDCs invest in research, development, and extension (RD&E) to improve the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of their respective sectors—from broadacre cropping and livestock to horticulture, fisheries, and forestry.
Understanding the return on RD&E is essential for the effective allocation of scarce research funding, both within individual sectors and across the broader agricultural innovation system. Figure 1 shows our approach to measuring how RD&E contributes to productivity, output, and value growth of farming sectors.
At present, there is no consistent methodology for measuring the return on public agricultural RD&E investments. This inconsistency hinders the ability to compare outcomes, communicate value to levy payers, and inform public policy decisions. Similarly, the absence of interoperable and accessible data-sharing systems constrains transparency and collaboration, limiting the generation of system-wide insights and opportunities for cross-sector learning.
To maintain and enhance the effectiveness of the RDC system and public agricultural investments, it is crucial that the value generated by RD&E investment is measured accurately and that knowledge is shared efficiently across the entire system for the benefit of Australian farmers, industry, and the broader economy.

Program

National Rural Issues

Research Organisation

DeltaPearl Partners

Objective Summary

As above.