The new look authority said in a statement it hoped to achieve this by anticipating global trends, discovering new knowledge, harnessing new technologies, and investing in people.

According to AgriFutures Australia chair, Kay Hull, the re-brand of RIRDC is more than just a name change, it represents the organisation’s renewed purpose and direction.

“Our new name signals a distinct path for our organisation. We have upended our thinking to be proactive in the face of a rapidly changing environment, and to harness the many opportunities this presents to our organisation and the sector,” Hull said.

“AgriFutures Australia forges new frontiers for learning, pushes for greater collaboration across sectors, invests in new and emerging industries, harnesses new technologies and builds the capability of emerging leaders to deliver real on-farm benefits,” she said.

“It is such an exciting time to be in Australian agriculture and AgriFutures Australia is well placed to collaborate with rural industries to build a prosperous future.”

The new AgriFutures chair said the organisation would set its sights on transforming the rural industries they partner with to meet the challenges that lie ahead. 

“Our new name reflects our place in agriculture, our national mandate and our steely focus on the future,” Hull said.

“With new headquarters in regional NSW, the AgriFutures Australia team has spent the last 10 months reflecting on the opportunities and challenges facing the agricultural sector. It has emerged with a ‘clear and unyielding mandate’ to grow the long-term prosperity of Australian rural industries through research and innovation,” she said.